News and notes from the congregations of the diocese.
St. Paul’s, Clay Center offered a Kids Cafe. The church provided a hot meal prepared at St. Paul’s, Monday – Friday in June and July. The parish served just over 4,000 meals in those two months. For the past two years, the church has partnered with KSDE (Kansas Department of Education-child welfare). Church leaders are grateful to the volunteers who helped provide a healthy lunch for those who need it through the summer. In rural areas, St. Paul’s continues “Grab ‘n Go” implemented during COVID, which offers the opportunity to provide meals with fewer volunteers.
St. Andrew’s, Derby held a successful Vacation Bible School in July and the theme was water and the Spirit. Also, plans are being made for a natural meditation garden with trees and native vegetation purchased through memorial gifts in the memory of Suzy Roper, beloved member of St. Andrew’s and wife of Deacon John Roper.
Trinity, El Dorado has been busy in 2023 with the annual garage sale, and the El Dorado Main Street Garden Tour of the labyrinth garden area. The church has sought to actively welcome people from the community and bring awareness to its missions like The Family Life Center Safe House, a non-profit organization that helps women and families leave abusive situations. The organization moved their administrative offices into Trinity’s unused spaces in June of 2022. Deacon Diane Kruger was a member of the Medical Team for the Kansas 2 Kenya mission trip in July. Trinity is excited to sponsor her preparation for priesthood this fall. The church is currently engaged in collecting school supplies for students in need in El Dorado schools.
St. Martin’s, Edwardsville has chosen names for its two main buildings. The older building, which used to house the worship space, has been named Milan Hall, in honor of the late Rev. Deacon Jesse Milan, his late wife Alversa, and the rest of the Milan family, who have contributed so much to the life of the parish and the entire diocese. The dedication ceremony will precede worship on Sunday, Oct. 29.
The new building, finally complete after so many years in the making, has been named Claxton Hall, to honor the late John Claxton, his late wife Margie and the rest of the Claxton family. The new building, which houses the beautiful new parish nave, as well as classrooms and offices, is currently in use and will be dedicated to the Claxtons’ contributions to its conception and completion.
St. Andrew’s, Emporia offered “Summertime Suppers” as a way to relax and connect with the St. Andrew’s community over the summer months. Parishioners gathered both at local restaurants and the church for “pot luck” style dinners.
St. Mary’s, Galena celebrated the Feast of St. Mary last Sunday and gathered with neighbors for a potluck dinner after church. The church has also recently installed a Blessing Box which has been stocked with pantry and hygiene items and diapers. The effort has been well received, and the church received a thank you note from someone who has been benefitting from this new ministry.
Epiphany, Independence Parishioners Norma Tallman (Navy) and the Rev. David Butler (Army -Navy) had the privilege to travel on the Parsons High School Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The trip was on MAY 22-24 taking 24 veterans to the Nation’s Capital to see memorials. One highlight of the trip was raising the flag at Fort McHenry. Each of the Veterans had a special memorial that was their favorite. The Folks with the Parson High School Honor Flight program spent many hours planning and raising funds for the trip. Each veteran was paired with a high school guardian to provide assistance. Parsons is the only program in the nation that places high school students in this role. David and Norman both recommend that veterans consider checking with their local Honor Flight, saying that “the rewards and healing are enormous.”
St. Timothy’s, Iola paid for the first 50 children under age 18 to go swimming at the Iola Swimming Pool during the Allen County Fair. The church also joined with Grace Episcopal Church in Chanute to provide 14 twin mattress for Hope Unlimited and 5 twin mattress for the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.
Covenant, Junction City has made the parish directory available to parishioners through a mobile app called Instant Church Directory. Parishioners were given instructions for how to download and install the app and encouraged to either upload their own pictures or have their picture taken at the parish. Since a directory is intended to assist the community in getting to know each other and stay in touch, the church hopes the mobile app will make it even more accessible.
St. Pauls, Kansas City hosted Health Fairs in May and June to encourage neighbors and community members to become vaccinated for Covid-19. The project was made possible by a grant the parish received from the Wyandotte Health Foundation. The fairs featured a fun atmosphere with food trucks, live music, games and activities for children, and incentives for getting vaccinated like gift cards to local businesses. The Health Fairs also helped uninsured or underinsured community members connect to partner organizations like Pharmacy of Grace.
St. Anselm’s Canterbury House, Lawrence has hired Rachel Haley as a part-time Leadership Consultant to help develop the student Peer Ministry program and assist with the operations of the ministry and the house. Rachel is a native of Lawrence, participated in the Diocese of Kansas Youth Ministry, and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Harm Reduction for Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity where she oversees and manages health, wellness, and safety programming. Canterbury House held its first program of the fall semester on Aug. 22 with a community meal and fellowship.
St. Margaret’s, Lawrence offers “Vine and Theology” once a month, hosted at parishioners homes. The group gathers to enjoy a glass of wine, share fellowship, and discuss theology.
St. Paul’s, Leavenworth will participate in Leavenworth County’s Relay for Life, to be held at St. Mary University Aug. 26. Local groups are encouraged to form teams, attend the event, participate in the relay (walking or running as team members desire), and raise funds to support cancer research. St. Paul’s has participated in the event in prior years with local service clubs, but this will be the church’s first time entering as an organization.
St. Paul’s, Manhattan donated 100 LBS of food to the Flint Hills Bread Basket in the month of August.
St. Francis Canterbury House, Manhattan kicked off the fall semester on August 22 with an Open House featuring games and fellowship. Twenty students attended. For the 2023-2024 academic year, student Peer Ministers will plan and coordinate the programming and ministry of the house with the support of Chad Senuta, Director of Young Adult and Communication Ministries, the Rev. Karen Schlabach, Youth, Campus, and Digital Missioner and local clergy and lay leaders.
St. Michael’s, Mission will offer a class on “Being and Belonging the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement” beginning Aug. 30. The 10-week class is for all those seeking to reconnect with the basics of their faith and ministry or desiring to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church.
St. Aidan’s, Olathe will celebrate their feast day and 165th anniversary on Sunday, August 27 with a picnic and music by KC recording artist the Lonesome Petunias.
Grace, Ottawa hired a student jazz trio from Ottawa University to play for its Pentecost service. The Rev. Mary Donnovan was inspired to try different styles of music for worship after visiting St. Bart’s in New York City. The church enjoyed the music so much, that the trio has been invited back regularly.
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. John’s, Parsons will blessing school supplies and backpacks for children during its service on Sunday September 3rd. The church will also have an outdoor service and Church Picnic Sunday September 10.
St. Luke’s, Shawnee hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive in the parish hall of the church on August 9.
Grace Cathedral, Topeka cheered on its Canon, the Rev. Jody Carroll who participated in the 18th Annual Missouri American Water MR340, which is a kayak race across Missouri on the Missouri River. Jody competed in the women’s tandem division with her sister, Jane Monroe, under the team name “The Blistered Sisters.” The race began on August 1 and was scheduled to end Aug. 4. The race was forced to conclude early due to extreme weather conditions. All contestants were required to leave the river. Jody and her sister completed 190 miles of paddling before the race was canceled.
St. David’s, Topeka created a Pickleball court in the parish hall and opens the church to the community each week for play.
For the 7th summer in a row, St. David’s will serve lunch to Topeka children. The church also pays to provide meals to adult caregivers. The congregation offers activities for the children and gives them toys and books.
The church has exponentially increased visitors to the Rector’s Pantry by adding information on its electronic sign at the busy intersection of 17th and Gage where the parish is located. It provides food, diapers, adult diapers, and hygiene items. 60-75 families/individuals are served each month. All pantry items are donated by the congregation.
Led by retired Deacon Harry Craig, the congregation will resume a prayer ministry during communion, which has been on a COVID hiatus. Deacon Harry and a group of parishioners will offer prayers and thanksgivings privately with congregants during Holy Eucharist.
Good Shepherd, Wichita hosts Friday Night Dinners in its Fellowship Hall each week. The dinners are coordinated by the church’s Welcome Team. Parishioners volunteer to serve as hosts, pick a date, invite friends, and enjoy fellowship.
St. James, Wichita held a fall back-to-School supply Drive. The church delivered a carload of useful items to the Pando Initiative that will provide children in need with the things they need to start the year. Among the items delivered: 5 sets of ear buds, 20 spiral notebooks, 2 science calculators, 32 boxes of crayons, 12 boxes of markers, 210 pencils, 9 backpacks, 37 ballpoint pens, 27 glue sticks, and more. Pando assists children in USD 259, Derby, and Maize. The church hopes that the gifts given will make a positive difference in the life of the children this year as they attend school.
St. John’s, Wichita is restoring the church’s stained glass windows. Workers from Hoefer Stain Glass Restoration were recently at the church to sand, prime, and paint the exterior window frames to prepare for the final step of the process. The workers also removed three more windows that will be next in the process.
St. Stephen’s, Wichita provided 125 sack lunches for distribution to those in need at the “Sandwich Saturday” ministry at St. John’s on July 8. Members of the parish also helped hand out the sack lunches.
Grace, Winfield joined with local churches in Cowley County to raise funds to complete a Habitat for Humanity House in Winfield. The church collected loose plate offerings as well as participating in the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser luncheon and collecting donations for the Winfield Habitat for Humanity Garage Sale.
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