PRAIRIE SPIRIT Winter 2019/2020
FROM THE BISHOP
CONTACT US
“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with 1 North Main it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” Suite 418 Hutchinson, KS 67501
Anyone who drives knows that Kansas is brown this time of year. It appears that little is growing, that little is being produced, that labor Phone: is futile. Occasionally, there is a shadow of green as a field of winter wheat 620-669-0006 pushes its way to surface, but overall, brown, in all its many hues, in all its many varieties, brown dominates the landscape. The Email: colors are muted. Those varieties subtle. The ground asleep. tec.wks2011@gmail.com However, it is not a brown of rot or decay, but a brown of earth, a brown of hope, a brown of potential. Dormant, but not dead. Website: Someone told me that farmers are professional gamblers; they bet their livelihood on www.diowks.org weather, rain and a crop they cannot control. I don’t know that that is accurate. Gamblers seem to enjoy the risk. Gamblers embrace the thrill of courting failure, and they play for the now but not for the future. Farmers instead embrace faith, and they live in knowledge that while the ground sleeps, most of what is harvested next year is already at work, already germinating,
Diocese of Western Kansas
already in the process of production. Farmers believe that there will be a harvest, that the ground will bear fruit, that their labor is not in vain. Although they cannot see it, and although Kansas may be brown today, farmers know Kansas will not be brown come spring. Soon, the earth will awaken. Soon, fields will all be green, and livestock will again be grazing. Soon, there
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will be a harvest. Farmers live in that faith. So, too, must we live. People fear that churches are dead, that we in this diocese are in decline, that we have become irrelevant. The landscape is brown, they say. Buildings are closing. There is no growth. I say no. I say our church is asleep, dormant, but not dead. (Cont. page 2) You can send your photos, videos and/or stories, for the Prairie Spirit to: tec.wks2011@gmail.com Or to our address above.
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From The Bishop cont.
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Just because we cannot see it, just because it is hidden now, our God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, our God is at work. God is bringing all things to their perfection. The word of God is germinating now, deep under the frost. As the fields and pastures will again be green and populated by livestock, so too our churches will bloom. There will be weddings and births and baptisms. We will be in a season of abundance and joy. It is all beginning now. While we journey together in Advent and Christmas and then Lent, the groundwork is being laid for the explosion of hallelujahs that is Easter and a diocese made up of churches in which “things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new.” In Dodge City, the seeds are sown to begin a new ministry serving our Hispanic brothers and sisters who are looking for the radical welcome of Christ embodied in the Episcopal Church. In Liberal, a new ministry begins with the ordination of Jeff Mitchell to the order of Priests. In Salina, Christ Cathedral begins a new phase of life with the incorporation of the Church of the Incarnation into a single body, the Episcopal Church in Salina. The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry’s program instructs six lay persons from across our diocese in discerning a new beginning for their lives serving Christ in the form of ordained leadership. All of these things and more are happening today within our diocese. We may not be able to see or even predict the results today, but we live in the faith that they will bear the fruit which God intends. I am grateful for each of you, for your prayers, for your worship, for your work and for your love of God and neighbor, for all you do, seen and unseen. It is through your efforts that God works to bring all things to their perfection. The Lord bless you, and keep you, make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, and give you peace. O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (BCP 280)
New Calling to Trinity At Trinity Episcopal Church in Norton on the 2nd Sunday of Advent (December 8), The Rev. Canon Jerry Jones did his last service as the Vicar in Charge, after 8 years. Fr. Jerry is the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese. He will be performing duties around the diocese. The Rev. Dennis Gilhousen has been appointed as the new Vicar in Charge. We join them both in celebration of their Anniversaries of ordination; Fr. Jerry 55 years and Fr. Dennis 40 years in sharing God’s love.
He is our everlasting reason for celebration. We hope your Christmas is filled with the joy that He offers. Have a Merry Christmas!
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St. Mark's, Medicine Lodge, hosted its second annual Christmas party with eleven attendees including Kathy and Bishop Milliken, and Rev. Mary Hixson. Everyone enjoyed home-made chili, cookies, and two different festive jello salads
On November 3, Bishop Cowell and Bishop Milliken secularized the altar and building that was known as Incarnation Church in Salina. The building was sold to Faith Baptist Church who continue to use the church for what it was intended for. “We move on to fresh ways of worship, We move on to serve in Christ Cathedral. We move on to work with new partners to build up the life of the Episcopal Church and of the whole church of Jesus Christ.”
We wish to let all persons of the Diocese know that a very faithful member of St. Paul's, Goodland and of the Church in Western Kansas, John Golden, entered life eternal on November 29. He held many civic offices and accomplished many things in his life. At the conclusion of his obituary, however, there is this statement: John's faith was his guide and he was proud to be a lifetime member of St. Paul's Episcopal. Of all his professional and community service endeavors, John's proudest moment was receiving the Bishop Service Award from the Bishop of Western Kansas at the 2016 Diocese of Western Kansas Convention. The award was given to John in recognition of his years of service as a member of the Endowment Committee of the Diocese. He was a constant participant at Diocesan Conventions and served on a Bishop Search Committee. Whenever you left John's presence, the words "Have the best day of your life" were his own benediction. It was his way of commending us to the grace and presence of God, to honor and to serve. Him.
PAROCHIAL REPORT CHANGES Filing of the 2019 Parochial Report opens January 2, 2020. The Parochial Report website has been moved. The online filing site has a new URL. Please save the following link: https://reports.dfms.org Due to site security and convenience, DFMS is no longer providing and/or using a Unique Episcopal Identifier (UEID) and PIN as login credentials. That means beginning January 2nd, you will be asked to create a new login. In order to create a new login, you will need your UEID and PIN to begin the process. If you cannot remember your PIN, click “Forgot Password” and follow the prompts for instructions. Note: your new login will need to be an active email address and your password will be case sensitive. If you do not know your UEID, you may contact the diocesan office or look it up here: https://sites.google.com/view/episcopal-eparish-lookup/ Please note that the canonical deadline to submit your Parochial reports March 1, 2020.
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The Rev. Jeff Mitchell will be ordained, by the Rt. Rev. Mark Cowell, to the Sacred Order of Priests on December 21, 2019, at St. Andrew's Church in Liberal. The Ordination begins at 11:00 a.m.
On November 3, Bishop Cowell was at Christ Cathedral where he confirmed Landon Wilson, Robin Nachbar, Andy, Sandra, Brady, Isaiah and Emery Houltberg, and Caleb Kirkpatrick. Also pictured is the Vy Rev. David Hodges and The Rev. Canon Shay Craig.
Bishop Cowell was at St. Michael’s in Hays on December 1, where he confirmed Nickolas Naaz, Dawn Bunker, and Josephine Depuy. Angela Kreutzer was received.
CLERGY | WARDEN| TREASURER | WORKSHOPS The Clergy, Warden and Treasurer's Training Workshop 2020 is designed to give your church leadership or anyone interested the information you need for your individual and to introduce you to the diocesan resources that can assist you. This training is considered essential for those who are new to roles as clergy, administrators, wardens, or treasurers and for those who are continuing in these roles. It will be a helpful day including some updated information on policies and procedures. We strongly recommend you plan on attending one of these workshops. Lunch will be provided. Please register so we know how many materials are needed and how much food needs to be prepared for lunch. You can register at : https://www.diowks.org/clergy-warden-treasurer-workshops SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8: Grace Church, 2 Hyde Park Dr., Hutchinson, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22: St. Luke’s, 303 Epperson Dr., Scott City
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LOOKING AHEAD 2020 is just around the corner! Here are some things the Diocese is working on for the near future:
Adalynn Kay Parr baptized Dec 8, 2019. Rev Jeff, Mike & Kelly Hornung, Carson Parr, Christina, Adalynn & Graham Parr, Coni & Chuck Bowman.
Hispanic Ministry in Dodge City
5/10 year planning committee
Invite|Welcome|Connect Workshop
On Sunday, December 15, at Grace Church, Hutchinson, The youth performed Silent Night: Birth of A Carol and took the congregation back to Christmas Eve, 1818 and a small Austrian church nestled in the Alps…where the beloved carol Silent Night was born. Mice have made a shambles of the organ creating quite a problem. There was a happy ending though! It was a busy Sunday. The service was Lessons and Carols full of wonderful music and the ECW had a bake sale!
Saint Francis Ministries, on Sept. 26, 2019, announced that it will take over the St. John’s campus and will lead a collaborative effort to establish future plans for the property. The campus will become part of the long-time Salina-based nonprofit that provides child welfare and adult services in six states and internationally. The Very Rev. Robert N. Smith, Saint Francis dean, president and CEO, said the focus for St. John’s campus will be creating a ministry that addresses important needs, while honoring the values of both organizations. “We are pleased and grateful that St. John’s leaders selected Saint Francis as we live into a time of transformation for the campus, giving us the opportunity to build on such a deep tradition and heritage of service,” Smith said. William J. Clark, St. John’s president and CEO, is excited for the next steps that will occur in the 131-year history of St. John’s. “The mission of St. John’s lives on in this new partnership, and we have been encouraged by Saint Francis’ commitment to continue our mission of serving youth and families,” he said. “The devotion of Saint Francis to youth and families is undeniable. Saint Francis is the perfect partner to carry forward the St. John’s mission. I am excited about what the future will bring and am honored to be moving forward with such a fine organization.”
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The 49th Annual Diocesan Convention was held in Dodge City on October 18-19. The Convention opened with the Opening Eucharist at St. Cornelius Church. Bishop Cowell gave his Bishop’s Address at this time. He asked, What is our ministry?” “How do we fulfill our mission and how do we close the gap in Western Kansas and how do we get there from here?” We have churches now that are “closing the gap” Clothes closets and giveaways', soup kitchens, and food banks, and helping those in need. Bishop Mark wanted us to remember three things: First, every time we do something to close the gap, we live into our mission we are being the church! Secondly, is being intentional about doing these things. Hold ourselves accountable. Keep doing the things that are working and some of the things that may not be working may need to go. Lastly, the message is the same, but the way it is delivered may need to change with the times. He finished by saying, “Let’s close the gap!” You can watch his Bishops address on our website at: https://www.diowks.org/bishop-s-media
New Members Elected to Diocesan Committees Sending Congratulations to the members of our Diocesan Committees, who were elected at Diocesan Convention. Standing Committee (3yr term)
Miss Kitty made an appearance at the Convention Banquet on Friday evening. She sang a few songs and entertained us. She brought along the Marshall who made Bishop Mark the honorary Deputy Marshall of Dodge City! It was a fun evening!
The Rev. Canon Shay Craig (Salina) Mr. Michael Wamsley (Hutchinson) Diocesan Council (3yr term) The Rev. Teresa Lahar (Great Bend) (2yr term) The Rev. Charles Kerschen (Kingman) The Rev. Jeff Mitchell (Liberal) Mr. James Lemon (Pratt) Mr. Harry Smith (Salina) Commission On Ministry (2yr term) The Rev. Mary Hixson (Anthony) The Rev. Amy Long (Hutchinson) Mrs. Jacki Mitchell (Liberal) Mrs. Carolyn Peterson (Salina)
Presiding Bishop Bobblehead Auctioned Last year the Presiding Bishop Bobble Head was auctioned off and purchased by The Rev. Ted Blakley of Hutchinson. He had it signed by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and it was auctioned off this year and the winning bid was 500.00 which went to Walking With Jimmy.
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INVITE|WELCOME|CONNECT At the Diocesan Convention. We were honored to have Mary Parmer present our workshop Invite|Welcome|Connect. Mary Parmer is the founder of Invite|Welcome|Connect and is a congregational development consultant/coach, speaker, and retreat leader living in Sewanee, Tennessee. She serves as Director of Invite|Welcome|Connect, a transformational ministry of evangelism, hospitality and belonging now housed at the Beecken Center, School of Theology, University of the South. Invite Welcome Connect is a ministry of transformation that equips and empowerscongregations and individuals to cultivate intentional practices of evangelism, hospitality, and belonging rooted in the gospel directive to, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Mary generated much excitement about her program. The Diocese is working on bringing an all day workshop to Western Kansas next year. The diocese purchased a copy of Mary Parmer’s book for each church who wanted one. Our request is that the book is read before the workshop next year.
BISHOP CROSSES’ PRESENTED AT CONVENTION BANQUET On Friday Night’s Banquet, Bishop Cowell awarded the Bishop’s Cross to several individuals for their work at their, churches, diocese and communities. Congratulations to them all!
Jason & Molly Lamb from St. Francis, Russell Springs. For their yearly work with at-risk girls. Camp Runamuck and all their dedication and work for their church.
Jimmy Lemon from All Saints in Pratt, who created “Walking With Jimmy,” which provides post-treatment fellowship and activities on Orcas Island and Anacortes Washington for families living in the Midwest who are battling the long term emotional effects of childhood cancer.
Jacki and Jeff Mitchell from St. Andrew’s in Liberal. They both serve on Diocesan Committees and perform almost all duties of their Church. In their business they employ those who have been released from prison in order to give them a new start.
The Rev. Ted Blakley from Grace Church, Hutchinson. The only church to participate in the Pride Weekend and Grace has done it for two years. Fr. Ted also serves on Project Resource and the Commission on Ministry.