PROCLAMING THE GOOD NEWS ON THE PLAINS!
PRAIRIE SPIRIT Summer 2017
FROM THE BISHOP While I do not pretend to understand the hearts and souls of people, nor do I often grasp their motivations, nevertheless, I am concerned by much of what I see in the world these days. What I see seems to be people interested in only themselves. What is in it for me? What is the best for me? When someone disagrees with us we see shaming, shouting, and demeaning comments. Yet, in my heart, I know not all are that way. Sometimes it seems as if dirt and grime washed away in our baptism once again finds its way back to us. I think that sometimes we forget that as Christians, we are called to a different life. A life often at odds with the world, around us. Sometimes I think we forget that as we have received grace, mercy and forgiveness for God, so too we are called to give back as well. Our Christian heritage and tradition have given us two ways of giving back as Christ has given to us. These are called “Works of Mercy,� and they are divided in two groups: Corporal Works of Mercy and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Traditionally each group has been divided into seven Specific tasks. (As you know 7 is a Holy number in Christianity). Within the Corporal Works are: 1. Feed the hungry 2. Give water to the thirsty 3. Clothe the naked 4. Shelter the homeless 5. Visit the sick 6. Visit the imprisoned (or ransom the captive) 7. Bury the dead. Within these Corporal Works we find the rational for the Social justice ministries of the Church. Also notice there are no limiting factors. We need to feed all who are hungry. We clothe any who are naked. We shelter all who are homeless. (contd page 2)
REMINDER If you have not done so, please update your address book to our new address. We are still getting mail that is addressed to our previous address. We are still in the Bank Building, but our Suite number has changed to 418.
CONTACT US 1 North Main Suite 418 Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: 620-669-0006
Email: tec.wks2011@gmail.com
Website: www.diowks.org
Diocese of Western Kansas
@DIOWKS
diowks
PAGE 2
FROM THE BISHOP (contd) Within the Spiritual Works are: 1. Instruct the ignorant 2. Counsel the doubtful 3. Admonish the sinners 4. Bear patiently with those who wrong us 5. Forgive offenses 6. Comfort the afflicted 7. Pray for the living and the dead These works tend to be of a more personal nature. While I may not have to really care about someone to feed or clothe them, I do need to care enough to counsel them, forgive them, and pray for them. In the Spiritual Works, I am hoping to find common ground. I am hoping to find a place where you and I can be at peace with each other. While we can always do better in the social justice ministries outlined in the Corporal Acts of Mercy, I wonder if we should not, at this time, work harder on our Spiritual Works of Mercy? I wonder if, at this time in our history, this might mean stepping back a bit from our technology and taking the time to sit face to face with folks. Maybe it is that one-on-one time for listening, for sharing, for understanding. It is indeed a good thing to feed the hungry, to visit the sick, to bury the dead, but it is also more than that. Maybe it is listening to the story of the homeless. Maybe it is sharing the pain of one who grieves. Could it be that the Spiritual Works are sharing pain, celebrating joy, walking hand in hand through life, trying to see another’s point of view? When you and I were baptized we were buried with Christ in his death…we share in his resurrection…we were reborn by the Holy Spirit (BCP p.306). When we recall our baptism then maybe we understand that our works of mercy may be simply seeing the face of Jesus in the other, and allowing them to see the face of Jesus in us. Yours in Christ, Bishop Milliken
SUMMER 2017
The Episcopal Youth Event is held every three years. This year our youth and their sponsors, as well as Bishop Milliken, traveled to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. There were 1400 participants along with sponsors Mother Katie from Dodge City, Mother Amy from Hutchinson, youth Haylee Long-Hutchinson, Vanessa Carlos and Sofia Hernandez -Dodge City, and Cathleen Cowell-Larned. Some of the highlights of EYE were visiting the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial and Museum. Compline was celebrated at sunset at the memorial. Participants worshiped together with youth from around the world.
“Let go of the oars... Everything you want is downstream.” - Abraham-Hicks Harris Siller and Lucy Steen are pictured with Bishop Milliken at Camp Wood Mega Camp in June.
How many Episcopalians does it take to cook burgers? Apparently on Pentecost at Grace Church it takes seven. Grace in Hutchinson celebrated Pentecost with their annual picnic. It was Bishop Milliken’s annual visit as well.
PAGE 3
Diocesan Calendar St. Johns Helps Those in Need St. John’s mission in Great Bend, has provided an update on their outreach to help feed those in need: Their mission started out to help those needing food. If a church member noticed someone in need on street corners, they would provide that individual(s) with bag of food that did not require heating or refrigeration. It now has turned into something bigger. Though they still fill bags to meet those individuals when necessary, they now also meet the need for eight school children on a weekly basis during the school year. They coordinate efforts via a counselor from one school, who then sends a bag of food home on Friday for the weekend, with a child in need. School is starting up again and St. John’s has begun to accept donations once more. St. John’s may be small in members but are mighty by God’s grace. If anyone feels the Spirit’s call to assist their mission by donating items or monetarily, please contact, Teresa Lahar (second year student at BKSM) 620-639-1879 or drop off at St. John’s, or mail to: 2701 17th St, Great Bend, 67530. Here are some items needed: Individual packs, easy open-no can opener required; nothing that needs to be heated: Fruit drinks Peanuts Peanut Butter Horizon Organic Low Fat Milk Crackers Raisins Fruit Bites Fruit Bars Cereal Small cans of: Vienna Sausages Beanie Weenies Box of Tuna or Chicken with crackers
AUGUST 16-17: Bishop at Dio of Kansas Office 19: Acolyte Festival, Larned 20 Bishop visit to Scott City and Russell Springs 22 Dioceses of Western KS, KS, NB and W. MO Leadership Meeting in Topeka. 26-27 Youth Convention at Camp Wajato in Lyons
SEPTEMBER 4: Labor Day Offices Closed 8-10: Bishop teaching at BSKMS
13: Bishop at Dio of KS office 16: Clergy Day at Larned 17: Bishop visit to Dodge City 19-27: House of BishopsAlaska 27-Oct 4: Bishop on vacation
OCTOBER 7: Bishop at Dio of KS regional Confirmations in Wichita 8: Bishop visit to Larned 19-21: Diocesan Convention McPherson. 25: Bishop at Dio of Kansas Office
THE FORTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION of the EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WESTERN KANSAS will be held in McPherson, Kansas. The Convention begins on Friday, October 20, through Saturday, October 21, 2017. The Official Letter and registration information has gone out for our Diocesan Convention in October. Forms will soon be available on our website at www.diowks.org
29: Bishop visitation to Logan
PAGE 4
The Rev Basil Price and Deacon George Martin (pictured below) baptized Deacon Martin’s Grandson on August 6, 2017 at St. John’s in Great Bend. Save the date for an ECW event the weekend of April 6th, 2018 Give some thought to “What’s our one word” in Western Kansas? Martha Johnson Bourlakas will be joining us for a Woman’s Retreat at Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson Kansas. Martha has a Master's in Education from Vanderbilt and an MFA in Creative Non-fiction from Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky. She writes about life with a special needs child, authentic hospitality in faith communities, and the joy of sugar. She is the author of a women’s spirituality curriculum called One Good Word and leads One Good Word groups and retreats for women seeking spiritual connection. She resides in Southwest Virginia with her bishop husband, three daughters, two dogs, and one cat. Martha States that one of the things that keeps her wrapped in the blanket of this Episcopal Church is that it does not walk away. No matter the extremes of my or anybody’s life, it stays and stands patiently with its gentle voice of prayer, mirroring the words of Jesus, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. This Church of mine wants me to be the most kind, thoughtful, peaceful person I can be, but it knows that is not the wholeness of me and it still doesn’t let go of my hands. It still doesn’t raise its voice and run away screaming. More information to come - questions, please reach out to ecw.wks@gmail.com and follow along on our ECW Face Book account at Episcopal Church Women – Diocese of Western Kansas. Blessings, Lana
PAGE 5
The Larned Youth The Larned Episcopal youth group has been busy all spring and summer. The youth are fundraising for a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral, in England next March. Year round, the youth group sells Christmas wreaths, makes and sells enchiladas, and does various yard work projects. This summer, they've been especially busy. They have had a garage sale, hosted a petting zoo, and mowed lawns. Recently, they have sold potatoes. The potatoes were donated to the group by local potato producer who just happens to be an Episcopalian. This August, several members of the youth group, along with Father Mark Cowell went on a trip to New Jersey and New York. This trip was a sort of dress rehearsal for the pilgrimage next year. On this trip to the East Coast, the kids learned how to travel, how to behave in an airport and on an airplane, how to pack, and basically what's expected of a young person as they visit other places. Last year, the elder half of the youth group did this trip. This year, it's the younger half. While in New York, they hope to see many of the sites, including the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway musical, and maybe ride in a New York taxi. The youth have been working very hard to raise enough money for their pilgrimage. In addition to fundraising, all of the youth have sponsors who donate. Without the help of the diocese and the sponsors, the pilgrimage would be impossible. The youth are grateful for all who have helped them in their journey. The Diocese of Western Kansas has been very generous and the generosity is appreciated. The Larned Episcopal youth group expresses the deepest thanks to those who have supported the project.
Bishop Milliken’s visit to the Cathedral was May 28. He Confirmed Kay Quinn shown with Mother Susanne Methven.
Page 6
The members of the Standing Committee request that all congregations of the Diocese include the following prayer for the search process in the Prayers of the People each Sunday and at other services.
PRAYER FOR OUR BISHOP SEARCH
On June 4, Pentecost, Bishop Millken made his official visit to Grace Church in Hutchinson. Kim Marn and Todd and Susie Ray were presented for confirmation. Ryan and Melissa Desemo and Mary McFarland were received into the membership of the church.
BISHOP SEARCH UPDATE
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us in the Diocese of Western Kansas in manifold ways over the past years. You have strengthened us, united us, loved us, and guided us. We ask that you touch the hearts of able clergy, men and women, throughout the Episcopal Church so that they might hear your call upon their lives to do your work among us and with us and through us. We pray that you will be with our Diocesan Search Committee that they will discern your will in choosing good candidates from who will be elected by the diocese to be our future Bishop. Be with our Diocesan Standing Committee and Diocesan Council as they guide us in blending our lives and ministries with that of our new Bishop in order that we move forward in our life together. Be with us all. Give us patience and trust as we seek a new shepherd for our diocese. Be with us, Lord, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Bishop Search Committee has been formed and have begun their work to begin the search process. The members of the committee are: Chair: Mrs. Carolyn Peterson – Salina The Rev. Katie Hargis-Dodge City The Rev. Amy Long-Hutchinson The Rev. Don Martin-Colby The Rev. Karen Lemon-Pratt The Rev. Bill Waln-Hutchinson Bill Roenbaugh-Kinsley Georgia Briery-Norton Lisa Hodges-Salina Steve Molstead-Colby Please Keep them in your prayers as they go through this process.
On Sunday, August 6, Bishop Milliken was at St. Anne's in McPherson. He confirmed Frederick Otero and Kathryn Russell. Father Laird MacGregor is also pictured.
PAGE 7
THE REV JEFF MITCHELL ORDAINED TO THE SACRED ORDER OF DEACONS th On Saturday, August 5 , Jeff Mitchell was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Milliken, at Christ Cathedral in Salina. A reception followed. Rev. Jeff will serve at St. Andrew’s in Liberal.
Mother Carolyn Ballinger Installed As The Vicar of the Southwest Bishop Milliken installed Mother Carolyn Ballinger as the Vicar of the Southwest in a Service on July 8 at St. John’s in Ulysses. Mother Carolyn serves St. Thomas in Garden City, St. Andrew’s in Liberal and St. John’s in Ulysses. Keep Mother Carolyn in your prayers as she begins her new ministry!
Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas 1 North Main, Suite 418 Hutchinson, KS 67501
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 59 Hutchinson, KS 67502
Return Service Requested
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.�