July 19, 2012
Bishop Wolfe heads off on sabbatical
Bishop Dean Wolfe begins his sabbatical on July 23, and he plans to be back at work in time for Diocesan Convention Oct. 19.
He will begin his time away with some overseas travel before returning to the States for study, writing and reflection.
Anyone with matters that need attention in his absence may contact the Rev. Craig Loya, diocesan canon to the ordinary, at or the bishop’s executive assistant, Jeanne Atha, at . Both also can be reached by phone at the diocesan office, (800) 473-3563 or (785) 235-9255.
General Convention wrap-up
Bishop Dean Wolfe responds to Wall Street Journal op-ed: An error-filled opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal prompted Bishop Wolfe to set the record straight. You can read his comments at
ENS reports on what happened: Episcopal News Service offers a comprehensive look at the highlights of the 77th General Convention:
Kansans report on their time in Indy: A blog of comments from deputies and Bishop Wolfe helps share some of the feeling of what happened in Indianapolis: There are photos, too.
Other Episcopalians weight in: Negative newspaper articles and opinion pieces have prompted a number of Episcopalians in addition to Bishop Wolfe to offer their thoughts. They include:
- Jon Meacham, author and former editor of Newsweek:
- Diana Butler Bass, author, historian and former speaker at Diocesan Convention:
- The Rev. Gay Jennings, newly elected president of the House of Deputies:
- Letters to the editor of The New York Times, including one from Bishop Mark Beckwith:
Diocesan Convention is coming up; deadline is Aug. 15 for actions
The 153rd annual Diocesan Convention is set for Oct. 19-20 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Maner Conference Center in Topeka. That’s just 92 days away, and the deadline is Aug. 15 for a variety of convention actions.
- Nominations for offices to be elected must be submitted by Aug. 15 using the form on the diocesan website. It must be completed and accompanied by a digital photo of the nominee (at least 3 by 3 inches, at 300 dots per inch resolution). Email the completed form and photo to the chair of the Nominating Committee, the Rev. Betty Glover, at .
- Debatable resolutions must be submitted by Aug. 15 to the chair of that committee, the Rev. Shawn Streepy, at or 10700 W. 53rd St., Shawnee, KS 66203-1838.
- Constitution or canons changes must be sent by Aug. 15 to the chair of that committee, Frank Taylor, at or P.O. Box 550, Olathe, KS 66051-0550.
This information also is on the diocesan website at
Requests from clergy children for scholarship aid are due Aug. 10
Aug. 10 is the deadline for clergy children to apply for a Father Young Fund grant for the fall semester. All students interested in receiving an award from the Father Young Fund should send a letter addressed to Bishop Wolfe stating:
1. Who they are (their relationship to a clergy person in the diocese);
2.Where they are attending school;
3.Their year in school; and
4.What they plan to study.
Awards from the Father Young Fund are sent directly to the student at their home address in the third week of August.
Guidelines for applying for assistance from the Father Young Fund:
- Assistance will be provided for eight semesters of undergraduate work only.
- Assistance is normally reserved for students attending Kansas colleges or universities.
- Application for the fall academic term is to be made no later than Aug. 10; for the spring term no later than Jan. 10.
- According to the conditions of the original gift, this fund can only be used for children of clergy canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.
- Once enrolled in college, a student becomes eligible to apply for assistance from the Father Young Fund.Assistance has ranged from $500 - $1,000 each semester and is based on the number applying and the amount of interest earned on the fund.
- To apply, each semester the student should send a letter to the bishop before the closing date.
As soon as all applications have been received from the students, the amount of financial assistance will be determined, and a check will be sent to the student.
If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Atha , (785) 235-9255 or (800) 473-3563.
Youth peer minister applications are due by July 31
The diocesan youth peer ministry program is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 year. The deadline to apply is July 31.
The peer ministry program seeks to provide an opportunity for high school students in the Diocese of Kansas to grow in their faith, receive training in ministry and life skills, assume roles of liturgical leadership, welcome other students into the body of Christ, and develop other young leaders.
If you know a youth in your parish who would fit this position or be interested in this position, invite them to apply to be a peer minister. Applicationsare available on the diocesan youth website:
If you have any questions about the peer ministry program please contact interim Youth Missioner Michael Funston at .
Safeguarding God’s Children and People training workshops set in two locations
Special workshops designed to ensure a safe environment in churches are planned in two locations in August.
Two sessions of Safeguarding God’s Children are planned: Saturday, Aug. 4 at Grace Cathedral, Topeka; and Saturday, Aug. 11 at St. John’s, Parsons.
This training is required for all those who work regularly with children and youth in the Episcopal Church, but it is encouraged for others who are in leadership positions in parishes. The goal is to provide parish environments for children that are free from sexual abuse or exploitation.
At Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave. in Topeka: The training runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon and includes lunch. The cost to register is $10. To sign up, contact Michele Moss in the diocesan office at or (800) 473-3563 or (785) 235-9255. Questions should be directed to the trainer, Michael Massey, at .
At St. John’s, 1801 Corning in Parsons: The training begins at 10 a.m., and there is no charge. To register or for more information, contact the Rev. Jan Chubb at
One session of Safeguarding God’s People, the diocesan-required anti-sexual exploitation training course for parish leaders and employees, has been set for Saturday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. at St. John’s, 1801 Corning in Parsons. To register or for more information, contact the Rev. Jan Chubb at
The diocesan safe church policy, which describes the two workshops and who is required to take them, is on the website at
Kansas City area churches can apply for energy upgrade grant
Kansas Interfaith Power and Light has received a grant to help churches in four Kansas City-area counties – Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson and Miami – conduct an energy audit and make some easy, needed upgrades through matching funds.
A total of 15 congregations in a variety of denominations will be selected, which provides up to $3,000 in matching money to make energy efficient changes like upgrades to lighting and thermostat controls. The goal is to save the congregation up to 25 percent on their energy costs in the first year.
Information is on the organization’s website at
To apply for a matching grant, contact the agency’s executive director, Rabbi Moti Rieber, at .
Aug. 1 is deadline to apply to serve on Episcopal Church boards and commissions
Episcopalians – lay and clergy – who want to serve on one of the official agencies, boards or commissions of the Episcopal Church may now apply to be considered for appointment later this year.
Selection of lay and clergy members will be made by the Rev. Gay Jennings, the new president of the House of Deputies. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori appoints bishop members.
The term of appointment will depend on the committee or commission and whether an appointment is for a full term or partially-filled term, until the close of General Convention in 2015 or 2018.
The deadline for nominations is Aug. 1. Nominations may be submitted for oneself or for someone else who has agreed to be nominated. Nominations will only be accepted online:
Anniversaries of ordinations
Congratulations go to these people as they celebrate the anniversaries of their ordination in the next two weeks:
July 22: The Rev. Donald Martin, Ascension-on-the-Prairie, Colby, St. Francis, Russell Springs, and St. Luke’s, Fort Scott, Diocese of Western Kansas (20 years)
July 23: The Rev. Tom Wilson, St. Andrew’s, Derby (18 years)
Next DioLog
The next edition of DioLog will be sent to subscribers on Thursday, Aug. 2. Information to be included should be sent to Melodie Woerman, diocesan director of communications, at , no later than Tuesday, July 31.
DioLog is a publication of the Office of Communications of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.
Parishes are free to excerpt anything printed in DioLog; attributionthat material is reprinted fromDioLogis appreciated. Feel free to copy this and make it available to parishioners in whatever way is most useful.