July 2019 The Monthly Newsle er of Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas
TRAINING FOR LOVE Once a Jewish scribe approached Jesus and asked him a ques on, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Not surprisingly, Jesus gave him more than he asked for. He gave him not just one commandment; he gave him two. Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28–31). Love of God. Love of neighbor. These commandments are inseparable. Together they represent God’s binocular vision for humanity and crea on. If we only focus on one—either God or neighbor—then our vision will lack depth and perspec ve, and we will find ourselves stumbling as we a empt to move about life in the world that God has made. To love God and neighbor is to follow the way of Jesus with both eyes wide open. That is easier said than done. A er all, we know that our loving is imperfect, inconsistent, and inadequate. Some mes we love well. Some mes we love poorly. And some mes we don’t love at all; we simply hate. So what do we do? How do we love God with all that we are, all that we have, and all that we hope to be? How do we love the neighbors we have with the love we love ourselves with? The answer lies in liturgy broadly conceived, in habits and pracces that are guided by a par cular purpose and directed toward a given end. For example, if we want to play the piano, it’s not enough to love music. It’s not even enough to sit down and try hard. It takes guidance and practice. It takes dedica on to a set of habits that over me bear fruit. In short, learning to play the piano, like any skill, is not primarily about trying; it’s about training. So it is with loving God and neighbor. Loving is not about gri ng our teeth and trying hard to love. Loving is about training for love. If we are to love like Jesus’ loved, then we must train in the way of love. We must cul vate habits that join with the Holy Spirit in transforming us into people who are able to love with increasing skill and ease and consistency. There is more to say about this, but for now I invite you to explore a new training program in love that uses ancient Chris an habits. It is called The Way of Love, and you can find it here: www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love. Blessings, Fr. Ted
SERVING CHRIST BY MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY & THE PARISH
ON MIGRATION — GUEST TEACHER & PREACHER COMING ON JULY 7 AND 14 Why are so many women and children in Central America leaving their homes? Why would you decide to leave your home forever? What borders have you and your family crossed for work, school safety or love? These are the ques ons that shaped the November 2018 learning tour to Honduras and Guatemala that Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger from First Mennonite Hutchinson par cipated in. The tour was led by Mennonite Central Commi ee (MCC), a global, nonprofit organiza on begun in 1920 in response to the Mennonite refugee crisis in Russia that today strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace. MCC now works in 60 countries around the world, including with mul ple partners in Honduras and Guatemala in areas of educa on, food sovereignty, seasonal migra on, young returned migrants, peace and jus ce building, protec on of human rights, violence reduc on, and more. They strive to serve and empower those who want to stay and those who feel they must leave. On JULY 7, Tonya will lead our Adult Sunday School where the focus will be on stories of migra on, which provide a window into the reasons people are fleeing Honduras and Guatemala. On JULY 14, Tonya will join us in worship. Her sermon will con nue on these themes as we explore ways that Scripture guides and informs us as the refugee crises con nues at our border and around the world. The Rev. Tonya Ramer Wenger has been serving as pastor at First Mennonite Church in Hutch since August 2010. Tonya is a graduate of Bethel College in North Newton and the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, IN. She has completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Educa on (Ft. Wayne, IN and Tucson, AZ), and more recently completed the Clergy Spirituality and Leadership Program at the Shalem Ins tute for Spiritual Forma on near Bal more, MD. Tonya is happily married to Jonathan, and together they are raising four children in grade school and high school.
CIRCLES OF HOPE RENO COUNTY • CREATING FUTURE STORIES Circles of Hope is a community ini a ve helping families with limited resources improve their circumstances. We call it an ini a ve because it is a long-term solu on to a long-term problem. At Circles of Hope, we teach Circle Leaders the skills necessary to build financial stability. We are urgently seeking caring individuals to serve as Allies. Allies are advocates who help Circle Leaders work toward crea ng their future story, rooted in financial stability. Each Ally forms an inten onal friendship with a Circle Leader, walking beside them during the me immediately following comple on of their training. It is a cri cal period when Circle Leaders need support and guidance to reach their goals. As an Ally, you provide support not only to a Circle Leader, but also promote collabora on and advocacy in our community. To learn more please contact Marla McKee (620-669-7569; mckeemarla1@gmail.com). Marla is the Ally Recruitment Coordinator, Circles of Hope Reno County. You can also talk with our own Sharon Hixson (620-899-1549; Sharon@youarelearning.com). Sharon is currently serving as an Ally. —2—
PENTECOST SUNDAY Pentecost Sunday was June 9 when we welcomed Bishop Mark and Deacon George at Grace. Those confirmed were Steven Snook, Andrea Springer, Brad Smith, and Brooklyn Walker. Thank you to everyone who helped with our annual picnic.
Photos submi ed by Toni Co rell.
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GRACE FOOD PANTRY UPDATE The Food Pantry Fund has a balance of $940.00. In July, we ask that you bring canned veggies for our pantry. So far this year we have given out 165 bags of groceries to families in need.
SALTHAWK COMMUNITY SUPPORT UPDATE In July, we ask that you con nue to bring size small and medium men’s and women’s packaged underwear. We realize this in not an inexpensive request, however it is something that is greatly needed. Even one package will help. All items will be given to SCS for the students in need.
JULY BIRTHDAYS 02 03 04 06 08 09 10 12 15 16 21 22 25 26 27 28
Lil Braden Kent Longenecker Rob Kline Debbie Gilmore Warren Hixson Susan Smith Brad Specht Karen Frizell Lucy Steen Susie Ray Clarice McGraw Valerie Hederstedt Candy Kline Virginia Rayl Stephen Armstrong Mary Weston Max Graber Charlo e Summers Shane Schneider
SCS EXPANDS TO HMS-8 IN THE FALL The SCS program at the high school is a great success. The planned expansion to the middle school is happening for the fall semester. A total of $50,000.00 is needed to support the addi onal loca on. You are welcome to make dona ons of any size at any me. Checks can be made out to Salthawk Community Support and sent directly to: Trinity United Methodist Church, Salthawk Community Support 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67502.
JULY ANNIVERSARIES 14 29
Jan & Julie Steen Larry & Diane Steadman Mike & Gin Torrence
Please call the church office if we have missed your special day!
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED The church office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. The Community Clothes Closet will not be open that day and the men’s morning Bible study will not meet.
A BIG VBS THANK YOU Vaca on Bible School was held at Grace June 18-21. We had 15 kids who a ended. Thanks to Bob Ri er, Brooklyn Walker, Fr. Ted and Rebekah Blakley, Delta Sullivan, Brandon Long, Kim Miller, Kristen Armstrong, Gena Shorter, Rosie Bean, Kelly Curry, Missy, Mary and Ava Waln for volunteering their me to help the kids have a great week. Our theme was water, so the kids played with water, heard Bible Stories involving water (Crea on, The Wise and Foolish Men, Jesus Walks on Water and Jesus Calms the Storm), and made cra s with a purpose. The cra s were sold on Sunday, June 23rd to raise money for Episcopal Relief and Development to help give water to people who don't have a clean water source. Our goal was to help 2 people, but we raised enough money to help 8 people have clean water. The total raised was $315.91. Thanks so much to our generous congrega on for helping us exceed our goal! The children learned so much about the importance of water and God's love. It was a great week, and I'm so apprecia ve of everyone who helped! ~Julie Steen —4—
OPERATION BACK TO SCHOOL A backpack with basic school supplies is provided to students registered in kindergarten through high school in Reno county schools to help students begin their school year in style! You can help by dona ng basic school supplies and backpacks to First Call for Help at 721 W. 2nd. School supplies will be handed out on Tuesday, August 6 at the Mall.
On June 12th, our Outreach Commi ee met, which consists of Suzanne Chandley, Rae Pat Hederstedt, Shane Schneider and Fr. Ted Blakley. The commi ee met to discuss how to use the monies designated for Outreach in our Mission Empowerment Plan. This commi ee meets twice a year to decide what ministries and people we would like to support as a congrega on. The following list iden fies where the outreach money has gone in the first half of this year. $1000 $300 $500 $500 $500 $500 $250 $250 $250 $250 $100
to Salthawk Community Support program to SCS - New HMS 8 Room - Hawk Nest to Chris an Soup Ministry to NOEL Lodge to Bright House to Circles of Hope to Laundry Love to Kairos Prison Ministry to The Coffee Corner at 5th and Adams to Walking with Jimmy (www.walkingwithjimmy.org) to Bright Future for Children (www.6millionstepsforkids.org)
From me to me, an email plea may come from the office for a par cular person in need that the Outreach Fund or the Rector’s Discre onary Fund cannot financially support. Your generosity in the past has been a blessing to those who need medica on, deposit money to get accepted into an Oxford House, u lity bills, etc. Dona ons to either of these funds are welcome any me. —5—
USING HIS TIME & TALENTS Ever wonder who and how things get fixed at the church? Well, Howard Dame is our Junior Warden and is always happy to come and help in any way he can. Here is he seen replacing ceiling les that were damaged from all the rains we got in May. He also re-caulked windows that were leaking. We would like to say a BIG thank you to Howard for sharing your me and talents with us. YOU are very much appreciated!
IT’S POTATO TIME! The annual potato sale suppor ng youth in our diocese has arrived! This year, your support means even more to us because your purchases will go directly to support the youth at Grace. Our youth group has been invited to join Bishop Cowell and the youth from Larned on a pilgrimage to England in March 2021. As part of their prepara on for the journey, each youth must raise 100% of the trip costs through fundraising. These delicious and quality potatoes will be harvested by our Youth at the beginning of July. Each 15-20 pound bag is $20; half bags are available for $10. PLACE YOUR ORDER by using the sign-up sheet on the Narthex bulle n board or emailing Mtr. Amy at amylaurellong@gmail.com. Please make checks payable to Grace Episcopal Church (memo line: potatoes) and place it in the offering plate, or drop it in the church office.
ULSTER PROJECT LUNCHEON AT GRACE Grace will be hos ng teens and counselors from the 2019 Ulster Project for lunch on Monday, July 8th. Grace's own Raleigh Jarre is a par cipant this year. Missy Waln will be coordina ng the lunch that day. If you are able to help serve lunch on July 8th from 12:00 to 2:00p.m., please let her know at 664-0665 or missy.waln@gmail.com. Also, if you are able to provide any of the following, please contact Missy. Thank you for your help! 16-20 ice cream bars 2 gallons lemonade 4 loaves of garlic bread
16-20 frozen fruit bars 1 bag of ice 3 cucumbers
2 large packages of le uce salad mix 2 containers of cherry tomatoes 1 bo le of ranch dressing 1 bo le of Italian dressing
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GODLY PLAY Sundays at 9:15 am in the back room of the Undercro For ages 3-12
July 10 & 24 4:45 p.m. Conference Room
OUR NURSERY is located in the Undercro , and is available for our li le ones Sunday mornings during Sunday school and the 10:15 service.
Thursday, July 11th 6:00 pm Hosted by Stephen & Kristen Armstrong At the Hillcrest Pool at 7 Hilltop Dr.
July 11 & 25 2:00 p.m. Wesley Towers
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Dr. Ted Blakley ............................................ Rector frted.grace@gmail.com • 620-314-7520 The Rev. Amy Long ...................................... Assistant Priest The Rev. Bill Waln ........................................ Assistant Priest The Rev. Larry Steadman............................ Priest Associate The Rev. Larry Carver ............................ Priest in Residence Brandon and Mtr. Amy Long ................ Youth Coordinators Todd Ray .................... Coordinator of Eucharis c Ministries Jan Howard ............................................................. Organist Missy Waln ................................................... Music Director Rosie Bean .............................................. Nursery A endant Laura Southards ........................................................ Sexton Brenda Hoefer ..................................... Office Administrator HOW TO CONTACT US 2 Hyde Park Drive; Hutchinson, KS 67502 620-662-8024 phone • 620-662-2930 fax grace.hutch@sbcglobal.net • www.gracechurchhutch.org www.facebook.com/gracechurchhutch CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday • 9:00am to 4:00pm
VESTRY Mitch Hixson (2020) ......................Senior Warden Howard Dame (2020) .................... Junior Warden Todd Ray (2021) .............................................Clerk Toni Co rell ........................................... Treasurer Kelly Curry (2020) Kathy Petz (2021) Jim Richardson (2021) Stephen Armstrong (2022) Steve Hawkins (2022) Jan Steen (2022) SUNDAYS 8:00am • Holy Eucharist I (spoken) 9:15am • Sunday School for All Ages* 10:15am • Holy Eucharist II (music) *Except on Second Sundays of a month when the Youth prepare breakfast for the congrega on.
WEDNESDAYS 9:30am • Holy Eucharist I — in the Chapel 10:00am • Bible Study — Parish Hall
Sun
Mon 1
Tue 2
Wed 3 9:30am Eucharist I 10:00am Bible Study
4
5:30pm Eucharist II
NO Bible Study NO Community Clothes Closet
10 9:30am Eucharist I 10:00am Bible Study
11 7:00am Bible Study 2:00pm Eucharist at Wesley Towers
7:00pm Al-Anon 7 PEN 8:00 & 10:15am Holy Eucharist I & II 9:15am Sunday School for All Ages The Adult Sunday School will focus “On Migra on” with Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger.
8
9
12-2:00pm Ulster Luncheon See details on pg. 6
Fri 5
6
12
13
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED TODAY
6:00pm Family Supper Club 15
Sat
4:45pm DOK 5:30pm Eucharist II
TECOST SUNDAY
14 8:00 & 10:15am Holy Eucharist I & II
Thu
16
17 9:30am Eucharist I 10:00am Bible Study
18 7:00am Bible Study
See details on pg. 7 19
20
26
27
1:30–3:30 pm
9:00 am Youth 5:30pm Eucharist II 9:30am Godly Play
7:00pm Al-Anon
21 8:00 & 10:15am Holy Eucharist I & II
22
23
24 9:30am Eucharist I 10:00am Bible Study
25 7:00am Bible Study
1
2:00pm Eucharist at Wesley Towers 4:45pm DOK 5:30pm Eucharist II
9:15am Sunday School for All Ages
28 8:00 & 10:15am Holy Eucharist I & II 9:15am Sunday School for All Ages
29
30
31 9:30am Eucharist I 10:00am Bible Study
12:00pm Vestry 5:30pm Eucharist II 7:00pm Al-Anon
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY SUMMER SCHEDULE The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not meet at the church in July and August. The ladies will, however, stay busy croche ng and kni ng prayer shawls at home.