PRAIRIE SPIRIT Fall 2021
FROM THE BISHOP It was a joyous meeting in Colby as we gathered together again for Diocesan Convention. It was good to see everyone, good to be with everyone, and I really appreciated everyone’s willingness to wear masks in order to keep one another safe. Ascension, St. Luke’s, St. Paul’s and St. Francis’ did an outstanding job, and everyone with whom I spoke felt comfortable and welcome.
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Phone: One of the things we discussed at convention was the changing demographics of our communities. Together, we explored multi620-669-0006 cultural ministry, what multi-cultural ministry means and how it serves the people in our midst. We also discussed the need for multi-cultural Email: ministry here in Western Kansas. To that end, I thought it would be helpful and provocative to tec.wks2011@gmail.com examine more closely the makeup of our communities. One easy way to gather that demographic data is to look at the percentages of peoples attending our schools. I asked each congregation to send in the data from the schools that they serve, and that data is included in this issue for you to review. One of the things which the data reveals that stands out to me is that in three of the five largest communities within our diocese, people of European descent are a minority. In some communities, people of Latino heritage are a clear majority, and there are people of Latino heritage in all our communities. There are other people as well, representing over thirty different countries and cultures. When I visit our congregations, those demographics are not representative of the people in the pews. We continue to be mostly of European descent. That tells me that we are missing something.
Our mission is to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. That mission is very easy when we are presented with neighbors who all look and speak like we do. But it is more difficult when our neighbors speak differently, eat differently, celebrate differently. The data shows that the demographics have changed, and we must learn to how to approach our brothers and sisters who may be different from us. That may mean that our liturgy may look and sound a little different. And while that may require some adjustment, some work, and some effort on our part, it is not impossible. And it is what we are called to do. God has led us here and He has led these people to us. We need to take this opportunity seriously. As we celebrate them and celebrate the differences, we will learn from them as they will learn from us. Together, we will close the gap.
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Demographics In Our Communities
Rummage Sale in Pratt Benefits the Navajo Reservation On Saturday, October 30, the women of All Saints Church in Pratt held the first rummage sale. It is the first one they have done in years. The parish hall tables were full of unique and interesting items, and the majority of the merchandise was gone by noon. What was left will be donated to a thrift store that supports a youth ministry for Pratt children, or taken to a consignment auction. All the money raised, $420.00, will be sent to the Navajo reservation, which has been hit especially hard this year with Covid. Many of the people who purchased items gave additional money when they learned where all proceeds were going. The women had planned to also send much of the bedding they had received, but were told that due to Covid they weren't currently taking donations such as this. They hope to do another sale in the spring.
We've said it before, we have some of the greatest people in Western Kansas! During Convention we raised money for our ECW ministries by raffling off baskets. We had some great baskets donated by folks from around the Diocese. We raised $1,249.00. Our Bishop's Cup golf tournament raised $1,000.00 for our Multicultural Ministry Fund! Our Fall United Thanks Offering Ingathering raised over $3,500.00 for UTO! Postcards from the Pilgrims for the 2022 Pilgrimage to England, raised $420.00! Thank You to all who donated, bought raffle tickets and braved the cold to play golf to raise money for ministries in the Diocese!
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FROM THE ASSISTING BISHOP “I am willing and ready to do so…” The Rt. Rev. Michael P. Milliken
With these words a woman or man, standing before their bishop, begins the liturgy of ordination as a Deacon or Priest. In this response the candidate is responding to the question posed by the Bishop: “Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Christ as this Church has received them? And will you in accordance with the Canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?” At the end of the Ordination Rituals the new priest, or deacon, (or bishop) has become part of a Holy Community. And this is indeed an unusual community. It is a community of men and women are set apart for a particular ministry within the Church. Yet, at the same time, we clergy are also human, and we carry with us the frailties and the weaknesses of our humanity. The demands made upon the clergy are many and varied. One writer in the English Sunday Observer, offered this analysis: “People expect the clergy to have the grace of a swan, the friendliness of a sparrow, the innate strength of an eagle, the hours of an owl, and be able to live on the food of a canary.” This life that some of us are called to can often be lonely, isolated, and misunderstood. Studies show that clergy, as a group, have high levels of depression, and alcoholism. A survey of clergy done several years ago revealed: “78% of pastors have no close friends! 70% of pastors battle depression! 80% of pastors feel discouraged!” And the list goes on. So where do priests and deacons and bishops find support, understanding and acceptance. I believe it should be in the Community of the Ordained. This should be the community where a priest can reach out to a brother or sister for support. This should be the community where we can share openly and honestly with each other the hurts and pains of our ministry. This should be the community where we share one another’s burdens. Without this community I believe we clergy will be severely retarded in our ability to share the Good News of the Risen Jesus. So, how do we maintain this community? We build relationships with our sisters and brothers of the cloth. Even if this requires driving an hour or two just to have lunch or dinner together. We find the time to reach out to one another on the phone. No texting! I want to hear your voice. As a show of communal support we vow to, if at all possible, be present for all ordinations, funerals, and other clergy gatherings. We participate in our diocesan convention (which is required by Canon), and we fully participate in the “Councils of the Church”. Our congregations should find ways to encourage our clergy to participate in their Community of the Ordained. I believe that so long as our clergy continue to see themselves as “Lone Rangers;” so long as we deny that we truly need one another then the Church will be diminished.
The late Guy Fitch Lytle, III, sometime professor and Dean of the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) once wrote: “I believe that the debate as to whether priesthood is ontological or functional involves questions that are themselves misguided and outdated. The essential point is that priesthood is teleological.” In other words, our roles as deacons, priests and bishops are not what we do, but who we are! We do not function as priests – we are priests. We do not function as deacons – we are deacons. To function best we clergy need one another. We need to celebrate together; laugh together; cry together; love together. While St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians was for all Christians, I think some words should ring more loudly and echo longer in the Community of the Ordained: “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” “I am willing and ready to do so…”
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We were able to meet in-person for this years 51st Convention after Covid-19 forced us to meet virtually last year! Our hosts were Ascension, Colby, St. Francis, Russell Springs, St. Luke’s, Scott City and St. Paul’s , Goodland. We thank our hosting congregations for a wonderful convention! The opening Eucharist was extra special as we ordained the Revd.'s Scott Mentzer and Pat Schiefen to the Sacred Order of Deacons. They both will serve at St. Paul’s in Goodland. We would like to congratulate those who were elected and appointed to our Diocesan Committees:
Standing Committee: The Rev. Andy Houltberg and Mrs. Pam Smith Diocesan Council: The Rev. Teresa Lahar, The Rev. Deacon Todd Ray, Ms. Nikki Houchen and Mrs. Jill Stromberg Commission on Ministry: The Rev. Teresa Lahar, The Rev. Canon Bobby Smith, Miss. Sara Martin, Mrs. Patti Wamsley
The Team of Toni Cottrell, Fred & Sarah Miller were the winners of the Bishop’s Cup. Bishop Cup Participants played in 47 degree weather to raise money for the MultiCultural Ministries. From Left to Right: Steve Molstad, Rev. Jerry Jones, Rev. Harvey Hillin, Toni Cottrell, Rev. Karen Lemon, Fred and Sarah Miller, The Rev. Jeff & Jacki Mitchell, Bishop Mark Cowell & The Rev. Canon Bobby Smith.
The Rev. Canon JJ Bernal talks about the Multicultural Ministries at our Convention Workshop.
Fr. Don Martin and Martha Hullet from Colby visit with other delegates at the Thursday evening social at Convention
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Talented artist, Molly Lamb, from Russell Springs, painted the picture above for both Bishop Cowell and Bishop Milliken.
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The Rev. Jeff Mitchell reads the 2021 Necrology at morning prayer.
Congratulations to this years Bishop Cross Winners: The Rev. Charles Kerschen & Rev. Canon JJ Bernal from the Multicultural Ministries, The Rev. Brian Viel from St. Mark’s in Lyons, and The Rev. Shay Craig , Canon to Congregational Development and serves St. Michael's and St. Andrew’s in Hays.
The Clergy Spouses breakfast was hosted on Saturday morning, at Convention by Julie Cowell.
Just a one of the ECW Basket Raffle winners.
You can see al the convention photos on our Flickr page: Diocesan Convention 2021
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The Revd.'s Scott Mentzer and Pat Schiefen Ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons During the Opening Eucharist at Convention
You can see all the photos from the Revd.'s Scott and Pat’s ordination on our Flickr Page| Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas
The Rev. Charles “Tom” Kerschen was installed as the Vicar at St. Thomas in Garden City on October 30. The Service was followed by a festive reception.
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On Sunday, August 15th, St. Mark’s, Medicine Lodge threw a BBQ for 22 guests from around the country, including Toni Cottrell, Julie and Bishop Cowell, and Bishop Milliken, as well as Ted and Jane Shadid who drove all the way in from Fall River, MA. The BBQ honored the memory of Rev. Mary Hixson. St. Mark’s raised $400 for one of Mary’s favorite charities, Obadiah’s Food Pantry of Anthony, Kansas—and a good time was had by all.
IMPACT STATEMENTS - Not WHAT but WHY We all probably send a financial statement to our donors (people who pledge or have given gifts to our church in the last month or quarter) and, if we are doing a good job, we take that opportunity to thank them. “John, you have $250 to the church last month.” “Thank you for your support” A financial statement reminds our supporters of “what” they gave to the church. But in addition to a regular financial statement, we might consider sending out an “impact statement.” This is an opportunity to report on, not just how much was given, but what it made possible. And “impact statement” reminds a donor not “what” they gave, but “why they gave it.” “John, we fed 250 people lunch last week.” “Your gift helped make that possible, Thank you.” The difference between a financial statement and an impact statement is the difference between what we do at church, and why we do it. Communicating impact statements also builds a sense of pride and accomplishment in our congregations. They are easy, and often fun, to gather up and we can report them out in our bulletins, our newsletters and on our bulletin boards. Her are a few examples of fun impact statements. 300! That’s the number of shoes that came into our building this week. Between Bible Study, 12 Step Programs, Mommy&Me and Sunday worship, all those feet crossed our doorstep. Your gift makes our building available for all those people. Thank you. We blessed 83 paws, claws, hooves and fins at our Pet Blessing this year. Your gift to St. Scrivens makes it possible for all these critters and their folks to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis ever year. THANK YOU. (PS: Yes, its an off number because Old Sage is a three legged dog)
Impact statements can come from every member of your congregation. Ask them to help you think of some and post them on your FB page with #DWKSIMPACT (or send them to Toni to put on the Diocese page).
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