April 10, 2014
Register now for the diocesan Leadership Academy on May 3
The Leadership Academy returns this year with a special focus on stewardship that will benefit congregations of every size in the diocese.
It takes place on Saturday, May 3 at St. David’s, 3916 SW 17th Street in Topeka. Registration and continental breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m., and the event kicks off at 10 a.m. and will conclude at 3 p.m.
The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes breakfast, lunch and resource materials.
New this year – All clergy as well as lay leaders are encouraged to attend, to get the greatest benefit from the afternoon 90-minute workshop on stewardship offered by Norm Olson, Senior Marketing Consultant with Church Development of Kansas City, Mo.
Other workshops offered in the morning will include:
· A plenary session with Bishop Dean Wolfe
· Information for Senior and Junior Wardens
· A conversation with parish Treasurers
· Creating a great free church website
· Spiritual leadership
All registrations are online this year!
New this year is online registration. All participants are asked to register online at http://tinyurl.com/oksw3tk
You can pay by credit or debit card on this form (using PayPal’s online payment platform), or you can indicate that you will mail a check in advance or bring a check with you to the event.
If you have questions, contact the diocesan office at (800) 473-3563 or (785) 235-9255.
Reminder – the Chrism Mass is Tuesday, April 15
The annual Chrism Mass – a service in which oil of chrism is blessed by Bishop Wolfe and clergy of the diocese renew their ordination vows – takes place on April 15, the Tuesday in Holy Week, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Cathedral, Topeka.
Clergy are reminded that they will vest (alb and red stole) and walk in procession. They should be present in the cathedral’s lower-level Great Hall no later than 10 a.m.
All members of the diocese are invited to this service and are welcome to stay for lunch afterward.
Diocesan campus ministry program seeks applicants for intern position
Do you know any young adults interested in opportunities to further their vocational discernment while exercising their gifts for ministry with other young adults?
Encourage them to consider serving as one of our campus ministry interns. We're now seeking applicants for an intern position based at one of our two Canterbury Houses – KU or K-State for the 2014-2015 academic year.
A position description and application can be found on the campus ministry website, http://edokcampusministry.wordpress.com/campus-intern-application/
For more information, contact Campus Missioner the Rev. Stephanie Jenkins at .
Play about Bishop Vail’s ministry continues across the diocese
After a successful run of performances in Wichita, a play about the life and ministry of Bishop Thomas Vail, the first bishop of Kansas, moves to other locations around the diocese.
Be sure to note when the play will be in your area:
Pittsburg, St. Peter’s, 306 W. Euclid
· Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m.
Mission, St. Michael and All Angels, 6630 Nall Ave.
· Saturday, May 3, 8 p.m.
Topeka, St. David’s, 3916 SW 17th St.
· Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students through college. They can be purchased at the door for all performances.
2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the election of Thomas Vail as the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. To mark the occasion, this play was written by Dr. Phil Speary, an experienced theatre director, playwright and educator.
People news
Alversa Milan, wife of retired Deacon Jesse Milan, died on April 5. She was 80.
She was a former United Thank Offering chair for the Diocese of Kansas, and was a member of the Altar Guild at Trinity, Lawrence, and Church of the Ascension, Kansas City. She also was a lay reader at St. Martin the Field, Edwardsville, where she had been a member for the past 20 years.
She co-founded the Kansas City chapter of Mother to Mother Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides faith-based mentoring and services to disadvantaged mothers and their families. For many years in Kansas City she was involved in Church Women United, a national volunteer Christian ecumenical women’s movement, serving as state president, as well as chapter president, vice president and treasurer.
Professionally, she worked as an occupational therapist.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years; their sons Jesse Jr. and his partner Bill Roberts; and John and his partner, Aley Coolidge; daughters Julie, and Joy and her husband Jon Walls; two granddaughters; a sister and a brother; and a host of nieces, nephews and colleagues from her church and faith-based and civic organizations.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Deacon Milan at 7103 Waverly Ave., Kansas City, KS 66109.
A funeral celebrating her life will take place Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 North 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102, with a reception afterward. Bishop Dean Wolfe will be the celebrant.
Contributions in her memory may be sent to Mother to Mother Ministry, Inc., P.O. Box 12845,
Kansas City, KS 66112.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God. Rest in peace and rise in glory.
The Rev. Evan Ash has a new email address: .
Youth news
> Teen Love and Logic class offered for Sunday school teachers and Youth Ministers. Saturday, April 26, 9 am – 5 pm at Upton Hall Conference Center, Topeka.
“Love and Logic” uses humor, hope and empathy to build up the adult-child relationship. It emphasizes respect and dignity both for children and adults. It is an excellent model for “discipline” in a church setting.
The class will be facilitated by Sue Crew, a trained Love and Logic facilitator and the Director of Christian Formation at St. Michael and All Angels, Mission. The cost is $25 and includes lunch and a workbook.
The deadline to register is April 14. More information and a link to the online registration form and payment via PayPal is available at: http://edokyouth.wordpress.com/recharge/
> Recharge registrations due Monday. Recharge is an overnight retreat for youth workers in the diocese. On Friday night we will gather for resource sharing and fellowship with other youth workers. Saturday, we will have a Teen Love & Logic class. Cost for overnight retreat and class is $65 and registrations are due April 14. More information and a link to the online registration form and payment via PayPal is available at: http://edokyouth.wordpress.com/recharge/
> Episcopal Summer MegaCamp Registrations now available. MegaCamp is June 1-7 at Camp Wood YMCA.
The volunteer Episcopal staff provides solid Christian education, featuring worship, music, small group discussions and prayer. Camp Wood features a variety of activities such as horseback riding, archery, climbing tower, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, water slide, mud slide, arts and crafts, and sports.
Camp is open to those currently in grades 3-12, and their friends. The cost is $410 for the week, and the registration deadline is May 9. Space is limited, so don’t wait!
More information and links to the new online registration and payment are online at http://edokyouth.wordpress.com/camp/
EFM mentor training to be offered in June
Training for mentors in the Education for Ministry program will take place Thursday, June 19 through Saturday, June 21 in Topeka.
There will be two sessions offered: a basic/in-service training (for six to eight participants) and a formation training (for six to 12 participants). The formation session will focus on the Four Sources, examining in-depth the four sources of theological reflection used in EFM.
The cost of the training is $90 per person. Participants can also reserve overnight accommodations in Upton Hall for $40 per night.
The deadline to register is June 2.
To register or for more information about the training opportunities or about the EFM program, contact diocesan EFM coordinator Mike Morrow at or (316) 258-4834.
St. Luke’s, Shawnee seeks youth minister
St. Luke’s in Shawnee, a suburb in the metro Kansas City area, is seeking a part-time coordinator of youth activities.
This position is responsible for helping senior and junior high aged youth of the parish and the community to:
· build community;
· serve others in need; and
· grow in Christian fellowship with one another and their commitment to Christ by building relationships and planning social and service-related activities.
This is a nine-month position, working 10 hours a week. The salary is $15 per hour.
To apply or for more information, contact Interim Rector the Rev. John Goddard at or (913) 631-8597.
Tocher Lecture speaker will explore emerging churches
Philip Clayton, theology professor at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, Calif., will offer the next Tocher Lecture on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave. in Topeka.
His topic will be “Emerging Churches and the Future of Faith.” In it he will explore the changing face of religious faith and observance, as well as the challenges associated with religious pluralism.
The event is free and open to the public, and a reception and book signing will follow the lecture.
Clergy of the diocese are invited to a special afternoon event with Clayton at 3 p.m., also at the cathedral. He will offer remarks on topics similar to his evening address but in a more informal session.
Those wanting to attend the afternoon gathering need to contact the Very Rev. Andrew Grosso to confirm attendance. He can be reached at or (913) 367-3171.
Wichita parish sponsors 85th Old English Tea
St. James’, Wichita, invites everyone to celebrate spring in high style at the 85th Old English Tea on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 3750 E. Douglas.
Elegant tea items will be served, including finger sandwiches and the homemade lemon curd tarts for which the tea is famous. Style shows are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. and noon. The tea also will see the return for a second year of the St. James English toffee.
Other events include a silent auction, collectibles, arts and crafts, a bake shop including gluten-free items, jewelry, door prizes and cookbooks for purchase.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children age 4-12, with a free nursery for children from infant through age 4.
Tickets are available at the door or by calling the church office, (316) 683-5686.
Upcoming classes offered at the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
Only one round of classes remains for the academic year of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, the joint school operated by the Dioceses of Kansas, West Missouri, Nebraska and Western Kansas.
If you are interested in attending any of these courses for personal enrichment, contact the dean, the Very Rev. Andrew Grosso, at or (913) 367-3171.
May 10-11: ETHC 100: Christian Ethics Survey (The Rev. Andrew O’Connor); BIBL 220: Pauline Epistles (The Rev. Dr. Richard McCandless); MINI 600: Parish Administration (The Rev. Gar Demo)
Bishop Kemper School offers special summer session weekend
The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry has announced two courses that will be part of a summer session June 14-15 that is open to all interested people in the diocese:
· Mysticism in the Anglican Tradition, led by Dr. Jim Lewis. Participants will become more familiar with several classical sources of English mystical theology, including The Cloud of Unknowing, as well as medieval writers such as Richard Rolle, Julian of Norwich and Walter Hilton.
· The Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament, led by Dr. Melissa Tubbs Loya. This course will explore the major figures and themes associated with the emergence and development of the prophetic tradition in the faith and practice of Israel, including the historical and cultural context that shaped this vibrant literary and spiritual tradition.
Classes will meet in Upton Hall Conference Center, located next door to the diocesan offices at Bethany Place, 835 SW Polk Street in Topeka.
The cost to attend is $100, which covers tuition and meals. Limited overnight accommodation in Upton Hall can be reserved on a first come, first served basis.
In addition to classroom instruction, there will be opportunities during the summer session for corporate worship and fellowship.
For further information or to register for the course, please contact the Bishop Kemper School dean, the Very Rev. Andrew Grosso, at or (913) 367-3171.
Workshop on solar panels is offered
A home solar panels presentation will take place on Tuesday, April 22, from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson, in Mission. Participants will learn about a solar leasing program for Kansas residents that requires no upfront costs and saves you money on your electric bills.
For a flyer and more information, contact Carol Meyer at (913) 677-8672 or .
The event is sponsored by the Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition and is free and open to the public.
Scholarship applications now accepted for Episcopal Church grants
Applications are now being accepted for the 2014-2015 awarding of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church, according to Samuel A. McDonald, Director of Mission/Deputy Chief Operating Officer and convener of the Scholarship Committee.
“As a result of bequests, The Episcopal Church makes available a modest number of scholarships that assist students primarily enrolled in theological education and training,” said Margareth Crosnier de Bellaistre, Episcopal Church Director of Investment Management and Banking “Funding for the program is derived from annual income of designated trust funds established by generous donors.”
Scholarships are available for ethnic communities; children of missionaries, bishops and clergy; and other particular wide-ranging eligibility for education and training.
The amounts of the scholarships vary according to the availability of payouts from the funds. The maximum is $5,000.
The lists of trust funds and scholarships as well as key information are online at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/scholarships.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read each trust and identify in the application those trust funds that best fit their own profile. Requirements for applying for the scholarships include: the applicant must be an Episcopalian, must be a member of The Episcopal Church, and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop.