Spirit
ST. LUKE'S NURSING CENTER, CARTHAGE | JUNIOR HIGH RETREAT
The Diocese of West Missouri JUNE 2016 | VOLUME 8, NO. 3
AREA CONFIRMATIONS
Publisher
The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field
Editor
Gary Allman
Spirit is published by: The Diocese of West Missouri 420 West 14th St. Kansas City, MO 64105
Editorial Board Members
Gary Allman, Communications Director Angela Crawford, Communications Assistant The Rev. Canon Dr. Steven Rottgers, Canon to the Ordinary
Submissions
We welcome submissions of news articles and photographs on topics of interest to the people of the diocese. It helps us immensely if you can follow the submission guidelines provided on the diocesan website. Link bellow.
www.diowestmo.org/spirit-article-submission.html
In This Issue
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Editor’s Letter It's all too easy to accidentally kick
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Keeping Watch Sacraments are the rock-bottom, sacred
someone when they are already down. Gary Allman
foundation of the spiritual practice of the Episcopal Church; Bishop Marty reflects on what they are and what they mean to us. The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field
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Refugees - Hardships, Understanding and Acceptance A 'Refugee 101' presentation at St. John's,
Springfield provided an introduction to Resettlement Issues. Cheryl Calvin Moon
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'The Facts' vs 'The Knowledge' of God The deepest
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St. Luke's Nursing Center, Carthage Diocesan
knowledge cannot be put into words, but it can be lived. Vern Barnet
Deadline for the August Edition: July 1, 2016
Back Copies
You can see the latest Spirit magazine and an archive of Spirit issues going back to the winter of 2011 by following the link below.
www.diowestmo.org/spirit/spirit-magazine.html
Contact
(816) 471-6161 ext. 17 communications@diowestmo.org www.diowestmo.org www.facebook.com/diowestmo
ON THE COVER Bishop Marty confirms a candidate at Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage on May 7, 2016.
Cover image: Gary Allman
With Fr. Ted Estes (left) and Fr. Steve Wilson.
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SPIRIT | June 2016
funding is helping to improve the lives of Seniors at St. Luke's Nursing Center in Carthage. Sue Joslen
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Junior High Retreat At the beginning of
April, 47 youth and 22 adults took part in the 2016 Junior High Retreat in Joplin. Find out what they did. Kim Snodgrass
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Red Door Chili Supper St. Paul's, Maryville annual
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Celebrating in Style Socks and underwear provide a
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Ordinations The Rev. Deacon Mary Lynn Coulson, one of
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Directory A directory of the churches of the diocese.
chili supper raises funds for Children and Family Center. The Rev. Sidney Breeze
lesson in birthday giving. Tom Kincaid
the diocese's most recent ordinands tells us a little bit about herself.
Gary Allman | Editor’s Letter
Be Aware, Be Careful, and Be Gentle CONTACT communications@diowestmo.org Direct: (417) 522-5151 LINKS www.diowestmo.org
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t was a situation that I am sure many of us have experienced at one time or another. I responded, "That's not a problem, okay," and I walked away, feelings hurt and completely stunned at the rudeness of the person I'd been conversing with. As these things often do, the encounter got under my skin, casting a pall over the day and inducing a bout of introspection and reflection. However, introspection and reflection can be good, and it didn't take long to realize that the reality was the person probably never intended to offend, and most likely would have been appalled had they realized what I had taken away from our conversation. How often, I wondered, had I accidentally offended someone? Even worse had I said or written something inappropriate at a time when, unbeknownst to me, the other person was in a fragile emotional or mental condition? It may have come at a time when a few short words of mine would have a disproportionately negative effect on them. We live in an age of quick-fire social media exchanges and increasing work (and leisure) time-pressures. In the rapid to-and -fro of written and verbal communication it is far too easy to lob an accidental smart remark or aside that completely misses the mark, unintentionally and painfully stabbing ones conversational partner in the chest. Experiencing that pain first-hand, I asked myself what lessons I should draw from my experience. The answers I came up with were fairly simple: be aware, be careful, and be gentle.
1. Be aware. Be aware that your words may have a far-reaching and unintended impact on those with whom you interact. Be aware that you do not really know another person's mind - not even the mind of those we consider to be intimate friends. We all keep a lot about ourselves hidden, it might be our physical or mental pain, it might be doubts or uncertainties. I have concluded that people are very much like icebergs - no, not frozen, but nine-tenths hidden from view. This and the next point are particularly important when dealing with people from other cultures. On Facebook I sometimes forget that my various friends around the world are not immersed in American culture as I am. And this is also true when considering the needs of refugees whose cultures and social expectations are very different from our own. Co-incidentally, on page 7, Cheryl Calvin Moon gives a short introduction to some of the experiences of refugees coming to America.
2. Be careful Be careful with what you say and how you say it. I'm guilty of thinking in quick one-liners and quips, which has got me into unnecessary trouble more often than I'd care to admit. That makes me wonder how many times I've not even realized that I've been hurtful. How many times might I have inadvertently ruined someone's day? When entering into discussions I have to be careful not to confuse opinions with facts, and recognize that sometimes what I know to be facts are not. The facts may be fallacies appearing as facts through misunderstanding, misinterpretation, or because they have fallen into the lexicon of 'common knowledge'. On the other hand, I also have to remember that not all things have to be true to bring us to the truth. The Bible is an excellent example of this, and Vern Barnet touches on this point in his article on page 8. It is something that I often remind myself. That is, everything set out in the Bible doesn't have to be true for it to contain 'The Truth'. Even that is something that not everyone can agree with. It's an opinion, one that someone of another faith, or of no faith, will view from a very different perspective. I should honor their beliefs, even if I don't necessarily agree with them.
3. Be gentle Finally we come to being gentle. What harm does it do to err on the side of kindness and gentleness? I try to treat my fellow travelers along life's road with respect and kindness. An encouraging word can repair a lot of damage. I need to redouble my efforts to respond in a kind and helpful manner. That's not always easy when the pressure is on. I also need to remember that responding in a helpful manner might well include not responding at all. When all else fails I turn to my baptismal vows and, to my mind, everything written above is encompassed in vow three: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? And vow four: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons loving your neighbor as yourself? In today's political climate antagonism seems to be the rule of the day. Are you willing to be aware, caring and gentle in your online and face to face encounters? You don't have to agree with each other, but you do have to accept that disagreeing with honor is the best possible response. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons loving your neighbor as yourself? +
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KEEPING WATCH | The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field
Sacraments, the Foundations of the Episcopal Church CONTACT bishopfield@diowestmo.org (816) 471-6161 LINK www.diowestmo.org Confirmation 2016 Picture Album https://flic.kr/s/aHskwr3Svn
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rom time immemorial, the Church has spoken of SIGN – a sign is an object, word, or gesture that points to sacraments. In the Roman Catholic Church, from whence something beyond itself. Accordingly, sacraments use all kinds Anglicanism sprouted, there were seven practices recognized of human objects, words, and gestures (those things we can as sacraments. Since the Reformation of the English Church in distinguish with our senses), but all of these signs point beyond the 16th century, Anglicans have spoken of two sacraments and themselves to something greater, to God and God’s grace. of 5 other “sacramental rites”, i.e. rites that have the qualities GRACE – Grace is God’s favor, unearned and undeserved; it is and characteristics of sacraments, but which were not specifically the free gift of God’s presence, help, and salvation, which things, enjoined upon the Church by Christ’s words in Holy Scripture. of course, can be bestowed only by God. Can you name the sacraments and the sacramental rites SURE AND CERTAIN MEANS – Even while pointing beyond of the Church — that is without looking in The Book of themselves to God’s grace, sacraments also convey that very Common Prayer? Can you identify those that are known as grace into the believer’s life. Sacraments are efficacious the “Dominical Sacraments”? Can you speak to the spiritual (meaning effective and operative). They do what they say they “action” that takes place in each sacrament, and can you do absolutely, in an unerring and guaranteed way, and what they articulate the purpose of each sacrament? do is bring grace. For some this is a hard quiz, and for others maybe not so much. Most of us probably It has been said that the find that it falls somewhere sacraments confer divine in-between hard and easy, life on the recipient. People “The sacraments are outward and visible signs but we should all know the who receive the sacraments of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ answers to those questions. share in the divine life of as sure and certain means by which we receive Sacraments are the rockGod and receive forgiveness, bottom, sacred foundation of enlightenment, passion that grace.” – BCP, p. 857 the spiritual practice of the and compassion, as well as Episcopal Church strength of will. Through the So, in case you need the solution, here are the answers to the sacraments, God helps each of us live the Christian life so that first two questions. The seven sacraments and sacramental acts God may bring each of us, in the end, into eternal life. are: Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, ordination, Now, I provided all this up-front instruction in order to holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent (sometimes recall the importance of the Easter Season the Church has just referred to as confession), and unction (also known as the completed, and especially to bring some perspective to the four anointing of the sick). Area Confirmation services that took place during the Great 50 The two sacraments, or “Dominical Sacraments”, are the Days. ones commanded by Christ Jesus during his earthly life: Holy This was the second year that we, as a Diocese, have held Baptism and Holy Eucharist. The other five are sacramental Area Confirmations throughout West Missouri. This is the first rites that evolved over the centuries under the guidance of the time that they have been marshalled into and featured in the Holy Spirit. Easter Season. The Book of Common Prayer defines sacraments as They were hosted by Christ Church, St. Joseph; Grace & “... outward and visible signs of ...". This means each sacrament Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City; St. James’, Springfield; and has a component that we can perceive with at least one of our Grace Church, Carthage (April 2, April 9, April 16 and May 7 five senses. Each, however, also does something inside us, so respectively). the definition in the Prayer Book goes on: “... an inward and On behalf of the Diocese I offer my heartfelt thanks to the spiritual grace given by Christ as a sure and certain means by people of these parishes for opening their doors and honoring which we receive that grace.” us with their hospitality. Let’s further define some of the special words in that A fifth service was originally scheduled for Calvary Church, definition, starting with: Sedalia, but this was combined with the service at the cathedral 4
SPIRIT | June 2016
Photograph: Gary Zumwalt
More pictures on page 6 ▶
Area Confirmation. Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, April 9, 2016
when registrations were low. Thank you, nevertheless, to the fine folks of Calvary Church for your willingness to be our hosts. At the four services, 67 people were confirmed, 13 were received, and 7 reaffirmed their commitment to their baptismal promises. This is a total of 87 persons integrally involved in their commitment as Christians and to the work of Christ’s Church. My prayers continue for each one. Now, back I go to my earlier questions, the answers to which I have not yet revealed: “Can you speak to the spiritual ‘action’ that takes place in each sacrament, and can you articulate the purpose of each sacrament?” Each sacrament has some aspects in common with the others but also has attributes that differ from the others. For instance, all sacraments convey grace, but only Holy Baptism conveys adoption into the Body of Christ. It is distinctive in that. Like the others, Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion) communicates grace, particularly through the outward and visible elements of Bread/Body and Wine/Blood. Unlike Holy Baptism, however, which is conferred only once, Eucharist is intended for frequent, even daily, reception in order to be the sacrament that sustains us spiritually. Three of the sacramental rites of our Church — confirmation, ordination, and holy matrimony — are about vocation. In receiving the outward and visible signs of these sacraments, we are imbued with strength for commitment and purpose. Vocation, which comes from the Latin word vocatio, refers to a special calling a person receives from God. Being married is a vocation to which one is called by God. For some being
single is God’s vocational call. Parenthood is a vocation to which one is called if it is God’s will. So is ordination into the priesthood or the diaconate, or being called to a specific work of mercy, charity, self-giving, or the like. All these things are vocation in a religious sense. Therefore, the Sacramental Rite of Holy Matrimony is about the vocation of being in a relationship characterized by selfgiving love and mutual support, but it is not for all Christians. Ordination is about the vocation of servant leadership, but neither is it for all of us. Confirmation, however, is about the vocation of being a committed Christian in every phase of our lives, and it is meant for everyone. As Baptism is the first sacrament that opens the door to all the other sacraments and sacramental rites, so Confirmation might be called the first sacramental rite of vocation and the door to the other sacramental rites of vocation. Before going on to matrimony, ordination, or any other vocational commitment, Confirmation allows a mature person of faith to claim the foundational, Christian responsibility to live out the promises of Baptism, especially if the promises of Baptism were made for the person as a child. I congratulate and offer my blessings to all those who made their vocational commitment to be a “vocational Christian” during this year’s Great 50 Days of Easter. I ask all members of the Diocese of West Missouri to join with me in supporting our brothers and sisters in their new or renewed commitments. Keep watching for announcements at the end of the summer with information about another opportunity for Confirmations near All Saints’ Day. +
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Photograph: Donna Field
Area Confirmation. Christ Church, St. Joseph, April 2, 2016
Photograph: Gary Allman
Area Confirmation. St. James', Springfield, April 16, 2016
Photograph: Gary Allman
Area Confirmations
Area Confirmation. Grace Church, Carthage, May 7, 2016 6
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Refugees - Hardships, Understanding and Acceptance A 'Refugee 101' presentation at St. John's, Springfield provided an introduction to resettlement issues.
Cheryl Calvin Moon
CONTACT cjturnback@hotmail.com
LINKS Joint Statement on Refugees: www.diowestmo.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3175877 The International Rescue Committee: www.rescue.org/ Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/
Photograph: Gary Allman
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ur Lord, when He was less than two years old, became of the King chapter. Cheryl one of the many refugees who have been part of this retired just two years ago world’s history. Before His birth the people of Israel were from working in Wichita refugees from Egypt after the Passover. for the International Rescue Committee, where she worked The current situation with As the Holy Spirit would as caseworker and volunteer regard to refugees from the have it, we already knew that coordinator. When Episcopal Middle East - Syria, Iraq, Iran, there was a resource in our Afghanistan, Somalia and own deanery with expertise in Migration Ministries also more - has been characterized as the most massive since after the Second World War. “Then Joseph got up, took the child and his In Syria alone, over 6 million mother by night, and went to Egypt, and have been forcibly displaced, remained there until the death of Herod.” with 4.2 million having left the country due to five Matthew 2:14 years of constant warfare, bombings, and fighting located an office in Wichita, between rival factions. the resettlement of refugees: Cheryl became familiar with Last fall it was announced Cheryl Webb-Laughlin, that organization and the that this nation would begin a member of St. Thomas people working in a similar bringing refugees from Syria a’Beckett, Cassville, and capacity there. Despite retiring into this country. The mediaPresident of their Daughters reported rhetoric in response to this announcement was strong, and there were many public arguments raised about the problem with bringing in any Middle Eastern peoples, but especially any who might be Muslim. See the joint statement by Bishop Field and Bishop Gustafson issued last November (link above). It was against this backdrop, that the Outreach Committee of St. John’s, Springfield began discussions of what the role of the church in the resettlement effort Cheryl Webb-Laughlin (Left) and Cheryl Calvin Moon at St. John's Springfield might be.
and moving to Cassville with her husband, Michael Laughlin, she has never lost her passion for resettlement of victims of political and social violence and war. On Sunday, May 1, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at St. John’s, in conjunction with the Outreach Committee, sponsored their monthly breakfast and invited Cheryl to speak after both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. She brought home to the attendees the long road that refugees must travel, not only to flee their countries and get to a refugee camp in a neighboring country, but also to survive many months, and (more likely) years, of living in those temporary conditions before being relocated to their final country. She spoke of how the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees must certify that each individual meets the criteria to be considered a refugee, and how even documentation of who they are can be exceedingly difficult to come by, due to the destruction of, or complete lack of birth certificates in many countries at war. Because of this, DNA verification is now a standard Continued on page 9 ▶
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'The Facts' vs 'The Knowledge' of God The deepest knowledge cannot be put into words, but it can be lived. Vern Barnet
A
highly motivated college student asked me to tutor him in an independent study of world religions. He wanted to use a text book from a non-standard publisher. His stated purpose was to learn the facts of other faiths so he could prove those religions were wrong.
1. Faith or Facts? The most important thing I tried to teach him is that religion is not a collection of facts; it is more an exploration of how to live one’s life well and with gratitude. This is why details such as when the Buddha was born or who wrote the Gospel of John are not essential to faith. While they can produce valuable insights, mere facts in themselves are not a source of salvation. Instead it is the stories developed by the world’s spiritual traditions that lead to the sacred knowledge of how to live. Even a great secular novel or movie may contribute more to a life of faith than sorting factual claims into ‘True’ and ‘False’ columns, as my student wanted to do. Yes, our culture is woefully ignorant about the facts of the Christian tradition and other spiritual paths. Current political discussions make this appallingly evident. Knowing that Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622, that Rosh Hashanah begins a Jewish New Year, and that the Vedas are the supreme scriptures in orthodox Hinduism are bits of knowledge that any American today might want to know.
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Knowing how to ride a bicycle is more like faith than fact. Although you can give directions to help someone learn how to ride, you cannot exactly tell someone else But knowing the story how to adjust each muscle of Muhammad’s remarkable to maintain balance as one life and character, or the senses the pull of gravity and Hindu story in the Bhagavad the momentum of forward Gita of how Arjuna resolves movement. The mechanism is his perplexity when called like an arrangement of facts. to battle his own kin, or The riding is more like an wrestling with the parables of Jesus — these may better serve experience of faith. One learns to live worthily to develop an appreciation not so much by accumulating for how one may live a life of a set of facts but by practicing integrity in the most trying gratitude and service. One of circumstances and cultural learns to follow Jesus not challenge. primarily from studying what may be facts, but by practicing 2. Two Kinds of the experience of Jesus in Knowing one’s life. A spirituality of pure Thus there are two kinds of reason is dead; spirituality is a knowledge, knowing that, and breathing, deciding, helping, knowing how — knowledge creating, loving way of living. that something is so and A story may be a better knowledge how something is road to faith than assembling done. I may know that Jesus lots of evaluated facts in a was probably born in the year logical structure, such as my 4 BCE (Before the Common student desired. (Phew! Even Era), but how Jesus’s life affects that sentence reminds me he mine is more complicated, was a human being pretending subtle, and substantive. to be a Christian robot. Once I may know that a bicycle he collected all the facts, he consists of two wheels on a would never have to struggle frame, with propulsion and making decisions.) steering mechanisms, along Stories reveal character. with other parts such as brakes Aristotle defined character all in a certain arrangement, as what a person chooses but having that knowledge and shuns. Our individual does not enable me to know lives are too short for experihow to ride a bicycle. One ments of every kind, so we learns to ride a bicycle by learn by imitating those riding a bicycle. Watching whose lives are admirable someone ride may help. and eschewing those whose
folly leads to desolation. How did Jesus relate to the poor, the sick, the social outcast? How did Jesus answer, “Who is my neighbor?” How did Jesus understand those who taunted him at his trial and crucifixion? The best concert reviewer or art critic cannot give you the experience of the music or the painting itself. The most scientific list of facts about a forest, the ocean or the mountains cannot explain the sense of wonder you experience when you find yourself enveloped by such beauty. In 'The Four Quartets', Anglican poet T. S. Eliot wrote of such timeless moments and the impossibility of talk to match them: … Words strain, Crack and sometimes break, under the burden, Under the tension, slip, slide, perish, Will not stay still…
Our secular age shallows itself into tweets, outlines, numbers, passwords and distracted multi-tasking rather than exploring the heights and depths and breadths of what is too intense or too intimate or too majestic for words.
3. What We Can Know But Cannot Say Recent computer advances may clarify the distinction between what we know and can say, and Continued ▶
Photograph: Gary Allman
Refugees - continued from page 7 ▶ requirement. Once the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has validated the true refugee status of an individual, if they desire to come to the US, they must then be processed by Homeland Security. This process takes many months, even years, and meanwhile the individuals what we know and cannot say. driving a car in traffic to have no assurance that This is the difference between recognizing a face.” they will be accepted as the knowing that and knowing This is why in sports and necessary documents are very how, paralleling fact and faith. the arts, the best teachers are difficult to obtain. Do you know the game often those just under the It is quite likely that Go? It is an ancient board highest levels; they can push families who have not already game far more complicated their students to excellence, been disrupted by the death than chess. A computer beat but the most accomplished of one or both parents will a chess master in 1997 by athletes and artists cannot not be able to come to the US sheer computing power. In explain or transmit ultimate intact – that one or the other 2011 a computer defeated mastery. Baseball great Yogi parent may be allowed, while Jeopardy champions by rapidly Berra is reported asking, “How the second one’s papers or accessing facts and language can you think and hit at the those of their children may patterns. same time?” be delayed. Over half of the There are more possible I may have helped my refugees in any given camp are Go game sequences than student collect significant children, and 80% of refugees atoms in the universe, too facts, but even the greatest are women and children. many for even the quickest teacher could not have Each year the President computations to be useful. But breathed into him the spirit and Congress establish the earlier this year a computer of how to live with gratitude. number of refugees who will won against an international As the course was ending, I be admitted that year. For the champion. mentioned that Jesus did not past two years, that number The computer was collect facts; he loved others. has been 70,000. Currently it programmed not so much My student’s obsession with is estimated that there are over by facts but by examples, by his columns of Fact and 60 million forcibly displaced what I’d call stories. It tested Fiction finally collapsed. They people in the world. Many them repeatedly until it gained could not give him knowledge countries are accepting a not information but skill. of God. much higher proportion of Just as a Go master cannot He concluded that he those individuals – you can tell you how to be successful, himself was part of a story do the math to see that, at our the computer’s strategies of a failed search. It was like current rate, we are accepting cannot be reduced to facts or thinking too much instead of 1/10 of one percent of those instructions. trusting one’s balance, muscles, individuals per year. Michael Polanyi, a and sense of direction. He fell Cheryl spoke in general Twentieth Century polymath, off the bike. The fall redirected terms about several individual famously observed “We know his attention, he gained the cases she worked with which more than we can tell.” As a skill of faith which he could characterized some of the New York Times article put it, not verbalize, but which difficulties involved when “no human can explain how to became part of his story; and working with people of diverse play Go at the highest levels. he was grateful. cultural backgrounds. She The top players, it turns out, I, too, have a sense of God, also emphasized the great can’t fully access their own but I cannot tell how. + rewards of seeing individuals knowledge about how they’re become dedicated members Vern Barnet’s latest book is Thanks for able to perform so well. This Noticing: The Interpretation of Desire. of their new community, hard He previously wrote for The Kansas self-ignorance is common to workers at their new (and City Star. many human abilities, from usually greatly diminished)
Cheryl Webb-Laughlin
jobs, and in the second and third generations developing new commerce and industry for an area. As the St. John’s Outreach Committee meets over the subsequent weeks, there will be discussions about how best to become part of the efforts to support refugee placement. Cheryl has recommended that a task force be formed to look at the resources available in the Southern Deanery to determine if there is a community which could become home to one or more families. She asked that we all pray for peace daily, so that there is no longer the continuing danger that so many face if they stay in or return to their native lands. And the committee requests prayers also for discernment of a way forward, and for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in this work. If you have interest in this effort, and/or would like to become part of a task force to explore options, please contact Cheryl Calvin Moon of St. John’s. + Cheryl Calvin Moon attends St. John’s Springfield, where she is a member of the Outreach Committee. She also serves as a licensed preacher for several congregations in the Southern Deanery.
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St. Luke's Nursing Center, Carthage Diocesan funding is helping to improve the lives of Seniors at St. Luke's Nursing Center in Carthage.
LINKS Sue Joslen
M
ary Lou Yarbrough has been an Episcopalian since the early 1950s. Her husband and many friends have served on the board at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage through the decades, and she’s been there many times to visit others. After moving into the assisted living apartments in the original wing of the building, it didn’t take her long to realize that things have changed since the early 1980s, when St. Luke’s opened the first assisted living facility in the area. Back then, everyone in the apartments walked to dinner, and the cozy dining space felt neighborly. Now, with people living longer and healthier lives, many of the residents in the apartment complex need a walker or wheelchair to get to the dining room, but they’re still able to get about on their own. And all those items with wheels were getting in the way. “The hall was always "elderly care". The council full of walkers and people approved funding for St. were running over each Luke’s, Carthage and Bishop other’s feet. We just needed Spencer Place, Kansas City to a bigger dining room,” she undertake some much needed told her friend Barbara improvements. Mountjoy, the parish nurse Since June of 1972 when at Grace Church who visits St. Luke’s Nursing Center the residents of the facility in Carthage, Missouri first regularly to help them with opened its doors, the facility health maintenance issues. has consistently strived to “It got so I just wanted to eat provide Southwest Missouri in my room.” And that got and the surrounding area Barbara thinking about some with the highest quality designated funding available of healthcare for the for senior housing that had elderly. With the foresight of recently been discussed at members of Grace Episcopal Diocesan Council, where she Church and financing assiswas serving a second term. tance from The Diocese of After some investigation, West Missouri, the original Nurse Barbara brought 'The facility opened with a capacity Rachel Davies Bequest', to of 60 beds. the attention of the Diocesan It was soon realized Council. The Bequest that the need for care was donated in the early services exceeded St. Luke’s nineties with the stipulation capacity, which led to the that the funds be used for opening of an additional 60 bed unit in 1976. That was 10 SPIRIT | June 2016
www.st-lukesnursingcenter.com the first of many expansions and renovations that have made St. Luke’s the premier 41 bed assisted living and 95 bed, skilled and rehabilitation facility that it is today. St. Luke’s has been consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a five-star rating; the highest rating available, and one which is only given to the top 10% of care providers in the nation. In the early 1980s St. Luke’s was the first facility in the area to offer assisted living apartments. This concept was unique, offering a home-like atmosphere in an actual apartment to those needing minimal assistance with their day-to-day activities such as meal preparation and medication distribution. The residents were afforded the opportunity to bring their own furniture into an apartment which includes a full bath and kitchenette. It was more than just a room and a bed. It was home. In 2004 the original portion of the building was completely renovated to transition from the 60 bed skilled unit to 14 upscale apartments offering one and two bedroom units. For years St. Luke’s has maintained a 99% apartment occupancy rate, with a waiting list.
In 1988 the Board of Directors and staff were excited to bring to the community another milestone service in the form of a 32 bed, special memory care unit, which serves those with the heart breaking diagnosis of dementia. The specially trained staff offer activities, meals and care in a secured area within a quiet environment. Sue Joslen, the administrator of the facility, has been with St. Luke’s almost from the beginning (her 40th anniversary on staff coincided with the opening of this latest
The main dining room now has plenty of space for
Photographs: Gary Allman
The new expanded Therapy Department
renovation) has been a guiding force in many of the improvements to the facility which have made such a difference to the lives of the residents. Thanks to the generosity of the diocese, St. Luke’s goals of continued improvement and the expansion of its services have been able to take a huge step forward. The recently completed renovation was performed in three phases. The first and largest phase was the relocation and expansion of the therapy department. This department offers physical, occupational and speech therapies. Not
r manoeuvering wheelchairs and walkers
only was additional square footage available in the new area but, state of the art equipment was purchased. The positive outcomes of the expanded therapy services and equipment to the residents were obvious almost immediately. The three full-time activity personnel wasted no time in moving into their new area in the space previously occupied by the therapy department. They now had a space to call their own. And that room includes a kitchen area so the residents can enjoy cooking and reminiscing, with the added advantage that the fragrances of homemade goodies are now enjoyed by everyone. In this same general area a new facility chaplain’s office was created to provide a more centralized and visible location. Also, in the same area a new private family dining room was constructed. It is a perfect location for family gatherings such as holiday dinners and birthday parties. It also serves as a training room for staff. The second phase of the project was the removal of one assisted living studio apartment that was adjacent to the dining room to almost double the size of the dining area. New kitchen cabinets were installed, along with the
Residents' kitchen in the Activity Area
The self-serve beverage bar in the main dining room
installation of a self-serve beverage bar for use by residents, staff and visitors. In addition to the more spacious dining room, the renovation of this area included the addition of four windows, where previously there was only one. What a difference the sunshine makes. The third and final stage was the replacement of cabinetry in our main dining room. This included new quartz counter tops and additional storage. This area also provides a self-serve beverage counter for coffee, a variety of juices, hot chocolate and cappuccinos to anyone in the building. Upgrades and installations to the door openers on two entrances were also made. Through this renovation, made possible by this
extremely generous gift, the lives of our current residents and those we will serve in years to come will be richer and fuller. The efforts of the 95 loyal, dedicated, hardworking members of St. Luke’s staff will be enriched by the positive impact on those they serve every day. All of this, as Mrs. Yarbrough will tell you, is exciting, but none of it is as exciting as having the leg room to enjoy a meal with her friends. As times change, so do the needs and challenges of folks like Mrs. Yarbrough, who has been sitting at the table a lot longer and chatting with people who used to be “in the way” but who are fast becoming new friends. + Sue Joslen is the administrator of St. Luke’s Nursing Center. Sue recently celebrated forty years of working at St. Luke’s.
SPIRIT | June 2016 11
Junior High Retreat At the beginning of April, 47 youth and 22 adults took part in the 2016 Junior High Retreat in Joplin.
CONTACT wemo.youth@diowestmo.org LINK www.youth.diowestmo.org
Kim Snodgrass
12 SPIRIT | June 2016
everyone in a relationship with Jesus to have been present at the crucifixion. The Junior High Retreat couldn’t have happened without the kind people at St. Philip’s, who graciously allowed us to ‘take over’ their beautiful space for the entire weekend; the 22 hard-working adult volunteers; the senior high youth staff; and the people of Christ Church and St. James' in Springfield who
provided delicious meals. Hugs and special thanks go out to everyone involved, including the design team youth co-chairs, Lanie Indyk and Christine Escobar, the adult co-chairs, Duchess Wall and Liz Trader; and especially to the junior high youth who came and made it such a wonderful weekend. + Kim Snodgrass is the diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator.
Photographs: Gary Allman
T
his year’s Junior High Retreat was held at St. Philip’s in Joplin. It was an awesome weekend filled with opportunities to be with and make new friends (a.k.a. fellowship). It provided an opportunity to relax, have fun, and focus on how much the relationships in our lives matter. The Junior High Youth a team and community, quickly got into the swing enjoyed making music in a “sacred space”, and made of things on Friday night by a plethora of communion tie-dying their own tee shirts bread that will be used at this and listening to the first of several talks given by the senior year’s area confirmations. Clergy Time is a Junior high youth staff throughout High Retreat tradition. This the weekend. These talks year Fr. Frank Sierra (St. bring a credible, peer-to-peer perspective on the relationships Philip’s, Joplin), Mother that impact our lives, such as Megan Castellan (St. Paul’s peer pressure and social media. Kansas City) and Fr. Ted Following each talk there was Estes (Grace, Carthage) were time for in-depth discussion on hand for an hour-long on the topics in a safe, caring, clergy panel discussion small-group setting. that addressed a variety of Worship and music are a big questions from the youth. part of our retreat weekends. The session ranged from Compline, meditation and discussions about reincarprayer. There was time to nation to heaven and hell. Clergy Time gives youth an sing old and new songs and excellent opportunity to ask create a sacred space during the questions that are on a drumming workshop. The youth participated in St. Philip’s their mind in an informal setting where they can guide Sunday morning service as the conversation. ushers, acolytes and readers, The Saturday night which brought us together to showing of the movie 'Inside experience God in many ways. Out' was a hoot for everyone. There were several They loved it, and it obviously workshops for the Junior tied in with the weekend as High Schooler’s. On Saturday a reflection on the different afternoon the youth spent emotions that youth entering four hours rotating between adolescence experience: the different stations to enjoy transition from being a child different experiences that help to the teenage years and build positive, nourishing, everything that goes with it. spiritual lives. They made A meditation following the elephant toothpaste, created movie dovetailed neatly with prayer rocks, spent time in the theme by asking what reflection and mediation, it would have been like for helped learn fun ways to build
Reflection and meditation with Kim Snodgrass
Red Door Chili Supper St. Paul's, Maryville annual chili supper raises funds for Children and Family Center. The Rev. Sidney Breeze Clergy Time (L-R) Fr. Ted Estes, Mthr. Megan Castellan, and Fr. Frank Sierra
Making communion bread with Mother Megan
I
n 2000 St. Paul’s members decided to hold a fund raiser for the Children and Family Center of Maryville. February 21, 2016 marked the 16th supper. Known as the Red Door victims of domestic violence Chili Supper (after St. Paul’s and/or sexual assault red church doors), gallons of and provides community chili were prepared, veggies education in the five counties cut, desserts prepared and of Northwest Missouri – tickets sold around town. The Nodaway, Atchison, Holt, event has become a cooperGentry and Worth. ative endeavor with the First The results of the Chili Christian Church. Students Supper speak for themselves. from Northwest Missouri This year some 220 people State University also helped were served, and $3,184 raised with the table preparation and to aid the work of the Center. clean-up.
St. Paul’s
Children and Family Center
St. Paul’s is a small congregation with a big heart. In addition to this event $7,000 per year is raised for various local and church-wide organizations. The congregation also sponsors a campus ministry program with assistance from the diocese. +
The Children and Family Center is a ministry to individuals and families who have experienced abuse. Through the center's work, they find safe shelter and a nurturing environment to learn and grow through advocacy and dedicated services. The Center serves
Fr. Sid serves on the Bishop's staff as Ministry Developer for Sacred Hills Regional Ministry.
Photograph: Sid Breeze
Building teams and community
Making Prayer Rocks
Enjoying chili and fellowship at the Red Door Chili Supper, St. Paul's, Maryville.
SPIRIT | June 2016 13
Celebrating in Style Socks and underwear provide a lesson in birthday giving. Tom Kincaid
I
n the run-up to Christmas last year, Good Shepherd's Senior Warden, Tom Kincaid, was having trouble narrowing down the list of invitees for his 70th birthday celebration, so he invited the entire church! Saturday, December 19th found around 75 family and friends assembled in the fellowship hall for the celebration. Tom, with the aid of his Phyllis's sister Nita Johnson companion Phyllis Cameron, served a barbecue dinner and sister Kay Guntert (who provided music for dancing. attends the Church of the Andre's provided the chocolate Redeemer), sister Lynn Cobb torte for his birthday cake. (who attends St. Philip’s), Tom asked the guests brother-in-law Terry Cobb, not to bring him any gifts Tom’s son Nathan Kincaid and but instead, if they desired, daughter-in-law Natalie, and they could bring a package
of socks or underwear for a child. The donated clothing was presented to the Clay County Clothes Closet where Tom volunteers and is the current board president. The response was overwhelming! 159 pairs of socks, 282 pairs of underwear, 4 pairs of gloves, 1 scarf and 1 hat were collected in strategically placed laundry baskets. So, if you are planning a big event sometime soon, please consider it as an opportunity
to collect items that may be shared with a charitable organization located near you. Most of us have been blessed with more than we need and the sharing of these blessings with others just adds to the joy of the occasion. + Tom Kincaid is Senior Warden at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City.
Ordinations The Rev. Deacon Mary Lynn Coulson
14 SPIRIT | June 2016
Photograph: Peter Vogt
I
am a native of Kansas City, and a Royals fan for life. I studied sustainable agriculture at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, which gave me the opportunity to live with a family in Dakar, Senegal. I am passionate about travel, and have visited every continent, except Antarctica! I am also the proud godmother of the most intelligent, brave, and kind four-year-old. After college I worked self-knowledge. I love biblical as operations manager at Hebrew, and I am passionate Greenability magazine, a local about pastoral care, having environmental publication in been trained as a chaplain in Kansas City. That year I met a retirement community, and with a group of passionate then at St. Luke’s Hospital in lay people at St. Andrew’s in Kansas City. I was ordained a Brookside. St Andrew’s was deacon at St. Andrew’s on the where I was baptized as an feast of St. Patrick (March 17). infant and grew up in the faith. In June, I will be venturing They helped me discern my to San Diego to begin a curacy call to the priesthood. I then at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal entered Virginia Theological Church. + Seminary as a postulant for holy orders. As my time at seminary is drawing to a close, I reflect on these years as a time of questioning, growth in leadership, and deeper
Deacon Mary Lynn with Bishop Marty
| DIRECTORY
The Diocese of West Missouri The Diocese of West Missouri:  (816) 471-6161 | ď„ƒ www.diowestmo.org All Saints' Episcopal Church, Nevada
St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Bolivar
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Clinton
All Saints' Episcopal Church, West Plains
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Kansas City
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City
(417) 667-2607 www.allsaintsnevada.diowestmo.org (417) 256-2215 www.allsaintswestplains.com
Calvary Episcopal Church, Sedalia (660) 826-4873 www.calvarye.org
Christ Episcopal Church, Boonville
(660) 882-6444 www.nermwestmo.org/christ_church_boonville_0. aspx
Christ Episcopal Church, Lexington
(660) 259-3605 www.nermwestmo.org/christ_church_lexington0. aspx
Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield (417) 866-5133 www.christepiscopalchurch.com
Christ Episcopal Church, St Joseph
(816) 279-6351 www.christchurchsj.diowestmo.org
Christ Episcopal Church, Warrensburg (660) 429-1133 www.christepiscopalwarrensburg.org
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City (816) 452-0745 www.episcopalcogs.org
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kansas City (816) 741-1136 www.redeemerkc.org
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Blue Springs (816) 228-4220 www.episcopal-bluesprings.org
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Mountain Grove (417) 926-5217
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City (816) 474-8260 www.kccathedral.org
(417) 777-2233 www.stalbansozarks.org (816) 523-1602 www.standrewkc.org
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lee's Summit (816) 524-5552 www.saintannesls.org
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Kansas City
(660) 885-8008 www.orgsites.com/mo/stpaulsepisc
(816) 931-2850 www.stpaulskcmo.org
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lee's Summit (816) 524-3651 www.stpaulsls.org
www.facebook.com/St-Augustines-EpiscopalChurch-Kansas-City-MO-153813961296920 (816) 921-8534
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Maryville
St. George Episcopal Church, Camdenton
St. Peter and All Saints Episcopal Church, Kansas City
(573) 346-4686 www.saintge.diowestmo.org
St. James Episcopal Church, Springfield (417) 881-3073 www.stjamesspringfield.net
St. John's Episcopal Church, Neosho (417) 451-3644 www.stjohnsneosho.org
St. John's Episcopal Church, Springfield
(660) 582-5832 www.stpaulsmaryville.org
(816) 942-1066 www.stpaas.org
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Harrisonville (816) 884-4025 www.stpetersharrisonville.diowestmo.org
St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Joplin (417) 623-6893 www.stphilipsjoplin.com
(417) 869-6351 www.stjohnsspringfield.diowestmo.org
St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Trenton
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Excelsior Springs
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Monett
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Kimberling City
St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church, Cassville
(816) 476-2932 www.esepiscopal.org (417) 739-2460 www.stmrks.org
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, Village of Loch Lloyd (816) 331-2222 www.marymag.com
St. Mary's Church, Fayette
www.nermwestmo.org/st_marys_fayette0.aspx
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Kansas City (816) 842-0975 www.stmaryskc.org
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Savannah St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Ozark (417) 581-1350 www.stmattsozark.com
www.facebook.com/stphilipsepiscopaltrentonmo (417) 235-3330 www.ststephensmo.org
(417) 846-2155 www.saintthomasabecket.org
Trinity Episcopal Church, Independence (816) 254-3644 www.trinityindependence.org
Trinity Episcopal Church, Lebanon
(417) 532-3433 www.facebook.com/pages/Trinity-EpiscopalChurch-in-Lebanon-Missouri/510154842396985
Campus Ministry Beth Marshall (660) 728-1140 www.dcm.diowestmo.org
WEMO Youth
Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Raytown (816) 353-4592 www.stmatthewsraytown.org
Kim Snodgrass (417) 793-0780 www.youth.diowestmo.org
Grace Episcopal Church, Chillicothe
St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Independence
eSpirit Newsletter
(417) 358-4631 www.gracecarthage.org
(660) 646-4288 www.graceepiscopal-chillicothe.org
Grace Episcopal Church, Liberty (816) 781-6262 www.graceepiscopalliberty.org
Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Branson (417) 334-3968 www.shepherdofthehillsepiscopal.com
(816) 373-5333 www.stmichaelschurch.org
St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church, Noel (417) 475-3852 www.stnicholasnoel.webgarden.es
St. Oswald's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Skidmore www.stoswaldinthefields.diowestmo.org
www.diowestmo.org/espirit/espirit-newsletter. html
Spirit Magazine Online www.diowestmo.org/spirit/spirit-magazine.html
For the most up-to-date information about events in the diocese, church resources, news, church & clergy directories, and more, visit the diocesan website. www.diowestmo.org
SPIRIT | June 2016 15
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