News and notes from the congregations of the diocese.
Trinity, Arkansas City continued its centennial celebration by burying a time capsule for members to open when the church turns 200 years old, which included church memorabilia as well as prayers and letters to the future parishioners. Trinity has also set up a Blessing Box to help community members in need with food, personal hygiene products, and winter items.
St. Paul’s, Clay Center plans to host conversations about the vocation and future of the parish post pandemic. Questions will focus on the church’s purpose, and what God may be calling the church to do in this time and place.
St. Paul’s, Coffeyville hosted their annual Motorcycle Coats for Kids event on Oct 15, raising $942 to purchase coats for children in need as well as collecting a room full of coats for donation. Forty motorcycles and 80 people participated in the event, which included a motorcycle ride from the church to the local cemetery to honor a former church member and then a chili supper at the American Legion post.
St. Andrew’s, Derby hosted Trunk or Treat on October 29. The church served hot dogs, popcorn, and hot chocolate, and over 300 kids participated. Also, St. Andrew’s hosted the annual Derby Veterans Day observance and provided coffee and cookies. The Veterans Day observance was held in the St. Andrew’s Guild Hall and approximately 80 people from the community attended.
Trinity, El Dorado hosted a three day Prayer and Icon Retreat where participants engaged in the prayerful process of painting or “writing” the icon of Saint Nicholas, for their own private devotions and also discussed the uses and meanings of icons for corporate and individual prayer. The church also partnered with The Family Life Center Safe House to repurpose unused Sunday school rooms as office space for their administrative staff and their support efforts to empower people effected by domestic and sexual violence and mitigate trauma through comprehensive survivor services. Trinity also provided financial support to Tri-County Court Appointed Special Advocates “CASA,” Butler Homeless Initiative, and the Salvation Army Family Service Food Pantry & Thrift Store.
St. Martin’s, Edwardsville has completed work on the new addition to the parish and hosted Bishop Cathleen Bascom on Oct. 2 to celebrate Eucharist and bless the new space.
St. Andrew’s, Emporia celebrated the Patronal Feast Day of St. Andrew on Nov. 30 with a Scottish Dinner and a time of remembrance. Parishioners brought traditional Scottish foods to share for the celebration.
St. Mary’s, Galena held a chili supper fundraiser in October. The event was open to the public, and the church accepted donations. The proceeds will help the parish provide an evening meal once a month to Watered Gardens Homeless Shelter in Joplin, MO. The church also hosted a Bunco night in November. Bunco is a fast-paced dice game (no gambling involved) where players move from one table to another and during the course of the evening will get to play with almost everyone present. It is open to members and guests and is a great activity for people of all ages and abilities.
Epiphany, Independence held a Holiday Craft Fair and Cookie Market on December 3rd. All proceeds from the fair go to help with the parish’s community outreach and to help those in need in the community.
St. Timothy’s, Iola was awarded a Campus Ministry Parish Partner Grant from the diocese for $1000. The money will be used for a scholarship to assist student athletes in need of financial assistance at Allen County Community College. The church will also serve meals for the athletic program as needed during the year.
Covenant, Junction City has started monthly Holy Hike services. The services take place outdoors and include an easy hike and worship designed for outdoors, celebrating God’s good creation. The first Holy Hike focused on bird-watching, since it occurred during migration season. It was led by a Covenant parishioner who is an avid bird-watcher.
A Church of the Covenant parishioner, Melanie Laster has started a group called Unity Relations. It consists of people from both the parish and the community. The group gathers monthly at the church to share a meal and discuss racial issues, concerns, and reconciliation.
St. Anselm’s Canterbury House, Lawrence welcomes college students on Tuesday nights for dinner and a program on faith led by student Peer Ministers or guest speakers. One special program of the fall semester was led by Brother James Dowd from the Benedictine Way in Omaha, Nebraska. Brother James and former Canterbury KSU student Gage Woodyard shared about the centrality of prayer, intentional community and how their acts of service flow out of their daily Eucharist and prayers. Students were given an open invitation to visit and experience the community.
St. Margaret’s, Lawrence completed the 11th annual Pantry Power Food Drive in October. The church collected non-perishable food items for Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry and the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen.
St. Paul’s, Leavenworth hosted a Chili Supper Fundraiser and raised $1400 for improvements to the church’s Parish House. Parish members brought desserts and enjoyed fellowship together.
St. Paul’s, Manhattan offers a Lectio Divina group on Saturdays at 11 am for anyone interested in learning this prayer practice that dates back to the 6th century. The practice allows people to use scripture to listen for the ways that God is moving in their lives, and to the ways God calls them to respond.
St. Francis Canterbury House, Manhattan welcomes college students on Monday nights for dinner and a program on faith led by student Peer Ministers or guest speakers. One special program of the fall involved a hike on the Konza prairie ending with a compline service as the sunset over the prairie. Over twenty students participated in the hike and prayer service.
St. Michael’s, Mission observed All Souls Day with their annual Requiem service. Prior to the service parishioners submit names of deceased loved ones that they wish to remember for the year. During the service, the names are read aloud to honor their memory, provide consolation, and celebrate the lives of the faithful departed.
St. Matthew’s, Newton offers Education for Ministry (EFM) groups, which started in September. EFM helps the faithful encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.
St. Aidan’s, Olathe & St. Francis of Assisi, Overland Park were awarded a Campus Ministry Parish Partner Grant from the diocese. The churches will begin a joint ministry project at Johnson County Community College to offer students free bottled water (or coffee/hot chocolate in colder months) and granola bars as a ministry of presence and support to students and to improve the visibility of Episcopal churches in the area.
Grace, Ottawa offered a Blessing of the Animals service to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis. The Ottawa University Men’s Baseball Team attended to volunteer and assist with the service.
St. John’s, Parsons decorated a Christmas Tree for the Stella Wellls Christmas Auction. Children from Sunday school made the decorations, and the tree raised $1900. Stella Wells provides 700 Christmas baskets of food to people in need at Christmas every year.
St. Luke’s, Shawnee offers a weekly Walking Club on Thursdays for anyone who would like to join in for exercise, fun, and fellowship. First and third Thursdays of the month meet at 10 am, and second and fourth Thursdays meet at 5 pm in the church parking lot.
Grace Cathedral, Topeka offered a unique film and music experience at Silents in the Cathedral, featuring the silent thriller The Golem (1920). Organ music by Marvin Faulwell and percussion by Bob Keckeisen brought the classic film to life in the grand cathedral. Denise Morrison shared film history before the feature. Silents in the Cathedral has been an annual community event for 25 years. The library partners with the Kansas Silent Film Festival, Inc. and Grace Episcopal Cathedral to put on the event.
St. David’s, Topeka participated in the Interfaith of Topeka Community Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 20. Music and creation stories from a variety of faith traditions were shared as well as Abraham Lincoln’s original proclamation, establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday.
Good Shepherd, Wichita completed the church’s 8th Annual Turkey Run where church members prepared and delivered Thanksgiving Day meals to those in need in the community, particularly those who are homebound and ill.
St. James’, Wichita completed the Annual Blanket Drive for Humankind Ministries, which provides street outreach, shelter, affordable housing, supportive services, and basic needs to those experiencing homelessness or poverty in Sedgwick County. The church collected and delivered 85 blankets.
Also, this year the St. James’ Pocket Change Ministry has given 5 gifts of $500 to the following charities: Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services, Wichita Children’s Home, Kansas Children’s Service League, St. Francis Ministries, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
St. John’s, Wichita celebrated Oktoberfest on October 16 after the 10 am service with German beer, hot apple cider, Bierocks, German rope sausage in fried cabbage, baked apples, and Polka music. Parishioners were encouraged to invite friends and enjoyed fellowship together.
St. Stephen’s, Wichita gathered for the church’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 24 in the parish hall to give thanks for God’s creation. Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing and drinks were provided. Parishioners were asked to bring a favorite side dish, dessert or appetizer to share.
Grace, Winfield began an adult Sunday school class after church. The class is led by Abigail Cutter and focuses on the Old Testament lectionary readings for the following week, so that when participants hear the passage read during the liturgy, they hear it with new meaning. The class uses a version of the reflective, prayerful lectio divina approach to understand the passage, pooling insights from all participants.
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