Harvest August 2025

When asked what I hope to pursue after retiring as bishop diocesan of Kansas, I have a three-fold answer: more time with my family; writing a sequel to my novel Of Green Stuff Woven that has the working title Bishop of Blue; and assisting Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and other bishops to create Eco-Region Networks with special …

News and notes from the congregations of the diocese. Trinity, Arkansas City, hosted the Chamber Coffee Thursday, July 10, and twenty nine people attended. Mother Kathy welcomed the attendees and invited all to stop by and put food in the church’s Blessing Box. Harrison Taylor played the keyboard in the nave providing wonderful background music …

Every summer, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church opens its doors to creativity, laughter, and learning. The Art Camp, now in its 14th year, welcomes children from places far and wide, such as Johnson County, Kansas City, Iowa, and even England for a week-long celebration of artistic exploration and community spirit.  What began as a …

For the past fifteen years, St. Paul’s in Clay Center has served their community by ensuring that children have access to nutritious food during the summer months. As much as kids enjoy the summer break, for some, it means they are no longer receiving a healthy lunch five days a week, provided by their school. …

Since the beginning of the year, at St. Andrew’s Parish Church in Emporia, we’ve been asking ourselves a question that goes beyond doing: How can we become a community that doesn’t just act, but one that welcomes—one that cultivates the soul of encounter? And in that quiet heartbeat that precedes every transformation, a few simple …

Every Saturday morning, long before most alarms ring, a small army of volunteers gathers at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, KS, with one mission: to feed the community with kindness & dignity. The Saturday Breakfast Program at St. Paul’s launched 26 years ago under the leadership of Julie Marcus, a parishioner at St. …

Trinity Episcopal Church, El Dorado, celebrated Trinity Sunday with a baptism, held outside in the church’s prayer garden and labyrinth. Lunch followed, honoring and celebrating the newly baptized and the Trinity community.  The church continues to partner with The Family Life Center Safe House in providing them with administrative offices as they provide trauma-informed support …

Updates on diocesan clergy since the last issue of The Harvest. The Rev. Ryan Bloyd-Wiseman accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-charge at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Winchester, Kentucky. The Rev. Caroline Howard was appointed Creation Care Missioner for the diocese, effective July 1. The Rev. Dr. Suzan Olson was appointed Associate Rector for Pastoral …

The diocese gathered at Grace Cathedral on Saturday, June 21, 2025, to participate in the ordination of the Rev. Dr. Suzan Olson, the Rev. Dr. Lynne Powell, and the Rev. Clare Stern-Burbano to the transitional diaconate. The ordination was recorded and can be viewed on the diocesan YouTube Page. The Very Rev. Gar Demo preached …

Jory Mertens is a recent graduate of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, Missouri, and a candidate for ordination to the diaconate in January. Combining his calling as deacon and artist, he recently completed the Folk Saint Collection, which is a vibrant series of digital illustrations that …