The Harvest, July-August 2011 by Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

Inside The Harvest From the bishop Summer vacations are supposed to be about relaxation, although it would be hard to prove that by reading about Bishop Wolfe’s schedule. Page 2

Conversational evangelism A workshop in October, with a follow-up in February, is designed to give people who love the Episcopal Church the tools they’ll need to tell their family and friends about their faith. Page 4

Ministry discernment A new process is in place to help people explore lay or ordained vocations, through teams of people in each convocation specially trained for the task. Page 4

Mission to Kenya Three teams of Kansans spent time this summer in the region around Maai Mahiu, Kenya, offering medical and dental care, building houses and supporting community development needs. Page 5

Diocesan Convention Find out more about the proposed financial mission plan, who’s running for election, and what the theme is for this year’s pre-convention fundraiser. Page 6-7

Vital congregations will be focus of Diocesan Convention speaker By Melodie Woerman Editor, The Harvest

Convention highlights Thursday, Sept. 22

he Rev. Bob Honeychurch has a passion for helping congregations be as strong and vital as they can be. In part it’s because this year’s Diocesan Convention keynote speaker is employed by the Episcopal Church as missioner for congregational vitality, but it also comes from his 24 years’ experience as a priest in a wide variety of settings. Honeychurch’s appearance underscores the convention’s theme, “Making all things new,” based on a passage from Revelation 21:5. He will speak twice — once to those attending a preconvention workshop on Thursday and again in a Saturday morning speech to delegates and visitors. Honeychurch said his keynote address to the 152nd annual Convention, set for 9:10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, will explore “new life, new hope, new vision” as he helps delegates look to the future. “It’s a great and exciting experience to be a Christian, and to be an Episcopalian, today,” he said in an email to The Harvest. “But what does it mean to be the People of God in the 21st century? And how is God calling the church to engage the world today? What does the future hold for us

4:30-6 p.m. – Seminar on small church vitality by the Rev. Bob Honeychurch 7-9 p.m. – Fundraiser for youth scholarships and campus ministry parish grants

Friday, Sept. 23 10-11:30 a.m. – Convention Eucharist, Grace Cathedral, with Bishop Dean Wolfe celebrating and the Rev. Bob Honeychurch preaching 1-1:45 p.m. – Bishop Wolfe’s address to Convention

Saturday, Sept. 24 The Rev. Bob Honeychurch

as Christians, as Episcopalians, as faithful members of congregations?” Seating will be provided so visitors can attend Honeychurch’s remarks.

Special look at small churches He also will present a 90-minute seminar from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 that will focus on congregational vitality in small congregations. Honeychurch noted that half of the Episcopal Church’s more than 7,000 congregations have an average Sunday

9:10-10 a.m. – Keynote address by the Rev. Bob Honeychurch Noon – Box lunch for women of the diocese, including clergy and delegates, sponsored by the ECW

attendance of fewer than 70 people, the cut-off point that defines them as “small” churches. In the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, 32 of the diocese’s 46 congregations — or 69 percent — have fewer than 70 people in church on Sundays, on average. Noting that “the small church remains (Please see Convention, page 6)

Crossroads effort highlights generosity across the diocese

Around the diocese Read about happenings in parishes all across the diocese, and learn about a Wichita parish that’s using a sign to offer a neighborhood blessing, and a church that’s using church keys as a way to help people share their faith. Page 8

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

West Point cadet

A Leavenworth acolyte has already started her academic career at the U.S. Military Academy, where she hopes to become a combat trauma surgeon. Page 9

Stewardship reflection Gary Chubb of Parsons has written one of six stewardship reflections produced by the Episcopal Church for churchwide distribution this fall. Page 9

National cathedral damage Washington National Cathedral sustained millions of dollars in uninsured damage from the earthquake that struck the East Coast on Aug. 23. Page 10

Marking 9/11 anniversary Bishop Wolfe discusses his guidelines for parish observances of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Episcopal Church leaders call for remembrance and reflection, and an Emporia priest recalls what he did as a seminarian in New York on that day in 2011. Page 11

The Harvest file photo

St. Clare’s recently purchased this building in the historic downtown section of Spring Hill, where it had been renting worship space since May 2010.

A place to call their own By Melodie Woerman Editor, The Harvest

he unexpected death of their landlord last winter has led St. Clare’s in Spring Hill to an equally unexpected result — the purchase of the building they’d rented for worship since May 2010. St. Clare’s is the diocese’s newest congregation and met for services in “The Gathering Place,” a former Oddfellows’ hall at 118 South Main St. in the historic downtown section

of Spring Hill. The owner, Ron Daly, rented it out for events like anniversary dinners and class reunions, as well as to the congregation for Sunday morning worship and an increasing number of weekday events. The Rev. Philip Hubbard, the priest who leads St. Clare’s, said the arrangement worked well, with Daly offering some discounted rental fees as usage increased, because he (Please see Building, page 3)

he Crossroads campaign has raised more money than any other fundraising effort in the history of the diocese, but that tells only part of the story. The $3.38 million in pledges and contributions so far represent acts of sacrifice from people in parishes large and small across the diocese. The campaign goal is to raise $6 million, with much of that going to enhance leadership development for parishes of all sizes in the diocese by endowing the Kansas School for Ministry and constructing a Leadership Center in Topeka. The center will provide space for diocesan offices and expanded classes to educate deacons and priests to serve large and small churches, and to prepare lay people for a variety of ministries. It also will provide space for meetings of diocesan groups. Outreach ministries at home and abroad also will garner 10 percent of the Crossroads total raised.

Crossroads pledges made during Lent During Lent, members in parishes across the diocese had the opportunity to make individual pledges or contributions to Crossroads, and that effort raised $694,894. Among those are a number of parishes with exemplary participation or contribution levels. Members at St. Peter’s, Pittsburg, made pledges that average $1,033, and a whopping 86.5 percent of (Please see Crossroads, page 3)

2 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

From the Bishop

The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe

Publisher: The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Bishop Editor: Melodie Woerman A member of Episcopal News Service and Episcopal Communicators, The Harvest is published six times a year by the Office of Communications of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas: February, April, June, August, October and December. Stories, letters and photos are welcome. They will be used on a space-available basis and are subject to editing. Send all material (preferably in electronic format or by e-mail) to: Melodie Woerman, editor The Harvest 835 SW Polk St. Topeka, KS 66612-1688 phone: (800) 473-3563 fax: (785) 235-2449 mwoerman@episcopal-ks.org Send address changes to: Receptionist 835 SW Polk St., Topeka, KS 66612-1688 receptionist@episcopal-ks.org Upcoming deadlines: September/October issue: Sept. 15 November/December issue: Nov. 15 Subscription rate: $1.50 annually Third class mailing Permit No. 601, Topeka, Kansas POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Episcopal Diocese of Kansas 835 SW Polk St. Topeka, KS 66612-1688

The Anglican Communion A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 38 member churches/provinces in more than 160 countries. Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Rowan Williams Lambeth Palace, London WE1 7JU, United Kingdom www.anglicancommunion.org Episcopal seat: Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England

The Episcopal Church A community of more than 2.1 million members in 110 dioceses in 16 countries in the Americas and abroad. Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017 (800) 334-7626 www.episcopalchurch.org Episcopal seat: Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas A community of 12,000 members in 46 congregations, two diocesan institutions and one school in eastern Kansas. Bishop The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe 835 SW Polk Street, Topeka, KS 66612-1688 (785) 235-9255 (800) 473-3563 www.episcopal-ks.org Episcopal seat: Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka

So, Bishop, how did you spend your summer?

ear Friends, When I was in elementary school, the first few days of class always featured a writing assignment entitled, “How I spent my summer vacation.” It was fun to look back on how a summer had been spent, and I’m sure it helped my teachers to know what their students had been doing over the summer. So, Bishop, how did you spend your summer? Well, this was a particularly busy summer!

Planned Crossroads efforts In June I worked with the leadership team of the Crossroads campaign as we planned the next six months in our efforts to raise the needed funds to complete our Kansas School for Ministry initiative. Every day I grow in my conviction that this is the keystone to strengthening and growing the Episcopal Church in Kansas. The more than $3.3 million we have raised so far is a testimony to the great dedication and generosity of this diocese, and yet we are determined to increase this amount in the months ahead.

Built houses in Kenya

Photo by Stephen Butler

I particularly enjoyed conversations with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Price; the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres; and the new Bishop of Glasgow, Gregor Duncan. Archbishop Williams sent his warmest greetings to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and was excited to learn about our plans for expanding on the work of the Kansas School for Ministry.

In July, I traveled to Kenya with our Kansas to Kenya college team and worked alongside our hard-working students, who partnered with college students from Kenya to build stone houses for families living in tents. We were very warmly welcomed and hosted by the rector of All Saint’s Anglican Church in Maai Mahiu, Father Antony Ngugi, and his entire conSent our son off to college gregation. What a wonderful experience it was to In early August, we helped our son, William, preach in that setting and to enjoy a lovely church prepare to leave for college. He is attending picnic on the porch of the church after worship. Sewanee: The University of the South, a small I also met with BishEpiscopal liberal arts op Stephen Mwangi of university in Tennessee. the Anglican Diocese I’m not quite sure So, in the midst of earthof Nakuru and spoke when, if ever, I will be with the Archbishop of used to not having him quakes, hurricanes, economKenya, the Most Rev. around the house. ic disaster and children Dr. Eliud Wabukala, as So now, we are we continue to forge right back in the thick leaving for college, the Episdeeper relationships of things. The House with our mission partof Bishops meeting in copal Diocese of Kansas ners in Kenya. Quito, Ecuador, takes continues its steady and I am so proud of place in mid-September, how hard the students followed by a very full faithful journey. As your worked, and I am so 152nd Diocesan Congrateful for the leadervention. I am delighted bishop I continue to be imship Father Michael the Rev. Bob Honpressed and strengthened Bell and Father Andrew eychurch will be our O’Connor provided to keynote speaker. He has by the steadfastness and make the trip such a a wonderful reputation success. as a presenter, and I am the frequent heroism I see looking forward to his expressed in all the ways Met with English time with us. bishops So, in the midst of you support the Episcopal I traveled from Keearthquakes, hurricanes, nya to a meeting of the economic disaster and Church. It is a cause worthy General Synod in York, children leaving for of your most steadfast efforts England, where I met college, the Episcopal with a host of English Diocese of Kansas and your most heroic deeds. bishops and the Archcontinues its steady and bishop of Canterbury faithful journey. and his staff. I attended As your bishop I this meeting reprecontinue to be imsenting the Episcopal Church at the invitation pressed and strengthened by the steadfastness and of Archbishop Rowan Williams, and I found the the frequent heroism I see expressed in all the ways bonds of affection to be very much in evidence you support the Episcopal Church. between our two provinces. It is a cause worthy of your most steadfast efIt is clear to me that the great issues we face in forts and your most heroic deeds. As the old hymn the Episcopal Church are issues facing the Church says, “T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far... of England as well, and I look forward to continu- and Grace will lead us home.” ing to strengthen our historic and crucial relationGrace & Peace, ship. +Dean 

July/August 2011 • The Harvest • 3

Building: Space used for worship and community outreach (Continued from page 1) The Rev. Philip

“thought it was just the right thing to do,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard stands

Death stunned everyone

building purchased

All in the community were stunned when Daly died last December, and the blow only increased for the town’s Episcopalians when Daly’s children told them they wanted to sell the building. Hubbard said at that point a parishioner suggested the congregation buy it. He said he was afraid it was “too early in our development” — the congregation had been started just a year before — and that it would make his members too inwardly focused instead of their normal emphasis on evangelism. Hubbard discussed the situation with Bishop Dean Wolfe, who told the priest to look into all the options in town and put some hard numbers together. That would allow him and the Council of Trustees (the body responsible for finances and property in the diocese) to determine the best way forward.

The right place already Hubbard and some members canvassed the community to explore possible worship space. They created spreadsheets of costs analyses, both for the various options and of the congregation’s ability to make mortgage

outside the this summer by St. Clare’s, Spring Hill. The congregation had been renting the space before the death last winter of the building’s owner. Hubbard has led the congregation since it was started in the fall of 2009. The Harvest file photo

payments. Through all that, St. Clare’s discovered that The Gathering Place was exactly the place they needed, and wanted, to be. It not only could seat 80 people for worship — about double the 40 they currently have — but also had a kitchen. That was key, since so much of the church’s outreach to the community comes through events featuring food. Hubbard said, “This building best fit our current ministry needs and future needs. It also was very affordable on our current pledges.” In fact, potential mortgage

payments on this building turned out to be less than rental payments in some other places, he said. He and several members took the matter to the Council of Trustees at a meeting earlier this year and made a proposal — if the Council could help with the down payment and closing costs, the congregation could service the loan. The Council agreed. A purchase price of $110,000 was negotiated, with $27,000 coming as a grant from the diocese. The purchase was finalized in July. Hubbard said the congrega-

tion has a 10-year note with the bank, with a balloon payment at the end. They plan to avoid that by paying extra each month toward the principle.

Picking up more costs Ownership does come with a price, of course. Hubbard said the congregation already has paid to help replace the sidewalks throughout the historic downtown area, and those costs, along with the mortgage payments, are covered by pledges. In fact, St. Clare’s members asked the Council of Trustees

if they could assume some of the costs associated with having Hubbard as their priest — such as mileage reimbursement, office supplies and his cell phone — that previously had been paid by the diocese. That change is reflected in the proposed diocesan financial mission plan for 2012. After this year, the only ongoing expenses that the diocese will be paying for the new church start-up will be Hubbard’s salary and benefits. The congregation also is planning some building renovations, first to make the second floor more usable and then to install heavier commercial kitchen equipment to support all the dinners and potlucks the congregation already enjoys. In addition to their Sunday morning worship, St. Clare’s is using its building every week for Bible study and a grief counseling group, with a monthly book discussion and committee meetings as well. Hubbard said St. Clare’s has a simple goal of doubling its membership, then doubling it again. When that happens, this building would be too small for worship. But he said it still can function as a mission and outreach center, for things like a food pantry or afterschool activities. That means, he said, that right now they own “a mission center that we are temporarily worshipping in.” 

Crossroads: Many parishes had high levels of participation (Continued from page 1) those who make pledges to the parish also participated with Crossroads. A similar trend is seen at St. Paul’s, Clay Center, where 70 percent of their pledging units contributed an average of $1,451 to Crossroads. Parishioners at Grace Cathedral, Topeka, participated with an average campaign pledge of $2,060, and pledges from members of Grace, Winfield, totalled more than $1,300. Char Dewitt, diocesan director of development and stewardship, said a number of other parishes also had a high level of participation, including St. Aidan’s, Olathe; St. Martin’s, Edwardsville; Grace, Chanute; and St. John’s, Parsons. She said three parishes made pledges on behalf of the church, in addition to those that came from parishioners. They are St. Andrew’s, Derby; St. Timothy’s, Iola; and St. David’s, Topeka. Special contributions also came from the St. Michael and All Angels Foundation in Mission, and from the Kansas School for Ministry graduating classes of 2004 and 2005. Dewitt said the Crossroads effort will have a positive carry-over effect on the stewardship efforts of local parishes, thanks to the energy that went into helping people make a campaign commitment. She noted that St. Mark’s, Blue Rapids, hadn’t collected pledge cards from members in recent years, but parishioners embraced the Crossroads initiative because they understood how important it is to the growth and vitality of small churches like theirs.

Because they knew that KSM would provide them and other parishes,with much-needed spiritual leadership, Dewitt said they fully committed to the campaign and did something they normally don’t do — fill out pledge cards. She said, “Virtually every family from St. Mark’s made a campaign commitment.”

High levels of participation Crossroads campaign chair Larry Bingham said support was widespread across the diocese’s four convocations, with each one contributing close to or more than $1,000 per average pledge:  Northwest Convocation: $1,504  Northeast Convocation: $1,144  Southwest Convocation: $1,126  Southeast Convocation: $947 When it comes to the percentage of parish pledgers who contributed to Crossroads, the Southeast Convocation is the handsdown winner:  Southeast Convocation: 60.1 percent  Northeast Convocation: 28.4 percent  Northwest Convocation: 26 percent  Southwest Convocation: 18.4 percent Bingham said that while the total dollar amount raised is important, the level of participation is crucial to achieving the campaign’s vision of providing lay and clergy leadership to parishes across the diocese through KSM. He also thanked par-

ish clergy and local Crossroads representatives for their work in spreading the word in congregations. “They made all the difference in this effort,” he said. Bingham said that the amount pledged so far shows that people agree with the vision the campaign represents. “The diocese is at a crossroads, and this kind of training is essential,” he said. “The diocese agrees with us, and this is something we’re going to do.” He added, “There is a lot of excitement around this vision.” Bishop Dean Wolfe echoed Bingham’s sentiments in remarks to the Council of Trustees at the group’s June 21 meeting. “We have reached an unprecedented level of consensus about this vision,” he said. He noted that while not everyone will provide financial support for the project, “I haven’t encountered anyone who thinks this is the wrong way to go. Everyone understands the power of this vision and the need to train lay people, deacons and priests locally.”

More students at KSM Even as the diocese seeks additional support for the Kansas School for Ministry, the school is offering an expanded list of classes, with more students enrolled than ever. With 11 full-time and a number of part-time students, the school has surpassed the 14-bed sleeping space available at the

There is a lot of excitement around this vision. — Larry Bingham, chair, speaking about the Crossroads campaign

Bethany Place Conference Center on the diocesan grounds in Topeka, necessitating a block of hotel rooms for some students. The Crossroads campaign will renovate the conference center to provide 22 beds for students. KSM coordinator the Rev. Andrew Grosso said some early conversations with the Dioceses of Western Kansas and West Missouri are pointing toward KSM serving as a regional school, and as a result a ninemember committee already is working to develop curriculum to meet the needs of all three dioceses. In fact, Grosso said a new student studying for the priesthood is from Western Kansas. The school also has its first student pursuing a lay ministry track, which is being offered for the first time this academic year. Only 19 of the 46 congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas are able to pay full-time priests, meaning the need is great for clergy who don’t have to depend on an expensive seminary education in order to be ordained. Larger parishes also will benefit, since they rely on additional clergy and lay leaders to staff their services and programs. 

4 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

New discernment teams will help Workshops aim explore lay and ordained ministries to take the fear out of sharing one’s faith By Melodie Woerman Editor, The Harvest

he diocesan Commission will be Margie Lawrence, a on Congregational Devel- member of the faculty of Bishop opment hopes to take the Seabury Academy in Lawrence fear out of talking about one’s who has led workshops on confaith with an Oct. 22 workshop versational evangelism across on “Conversathe country. tional EvangeBaldwin said the lism.” workshop is open to The event will everyone in the diotake place that cese, lay or clergy. Saturday from Participants will 10 am. to 3 p.m. learn the fundaat St. Andrew’s mentals of engagin Emporia. ing non-churched Commission people in environchair the Rev. Margie Lawrence will ments such as soR o b B a l d w i n lead the “Conversational cial gatherings or the said many Epis- Evangelism” workshops workplace. copalians love on Oct. 22 and Feb. 4. Participants their church and should plan to atwould like friends and family tend both the Oct. 22 and the members to join them, “but they Feb. 4 sessions. are not equipped to be evangeThe cost to attend is $15 per lists,” he said. “They lack the person, which includes lunch skill, the language and the confi- and materials. The deadline to dence to engage in what is called register is Oct. 1. ‘conversational evangelism.’” Registration brochures have This workshop will provide been mailed to all rectors, vicars just the kind of training needed, and senior wardens. Baldwin said, and it offers anothBaldwin said he hopes these er plus — a follow-up workshop opportunities will help create “a in February to give participants diocese of people ready to share the chance to talk about the suc- the Gospel, grow the church and cesses and challenges they’ve become like the apostle Andrew encountered. who said to his brother, ‘We The leader for both workshops found the Messiah.’” 

KSM announces classes for upcoming academic year

nrollment now is open for Kansas School for Ministry classes during the upcoming academic year. KSM offers one or two classes each month, based at the Bethany Place Conference Center adjacent to the diocesan offices near downtown Topeka. According to the Rev. Andrew Grosso, KSM’s coordinator and the diocesan missioner for theological formation, students this year will fall into four categories:  Those studying for ordination as a deacon;  Those studying for ordination as a priest;  Those working toward a lay ministry certificate (congregational leadership, worship leader, lay preacher, sacramental minister or prayer minister); and  Those taking courses for their personal continuing education and enjoyment. The tuition is $150 per course for those in the ordination and lay ministry certificate tracks, and $100 per course for those studying for personal enrichment. Students must pre-register by contacting Grosso at (913) 367-3171 or rector@trinityks.org, Upcoming 2011-2012 courses, with instructors, are: Sept. 9-10: church history survey (the Rev. Craig Loya) Oct. 14-15: Christian spirituality (the Rev. Tom Wilson); British Christianity (the Rev. Bill Wolff) Nov. 11-12: Old Testament survey (the Rev. Bill Breedlove); homiletics (the Rev. George Pejakovich) Dec. 9-10: pastoral theology (the Rev. Lisa Senuta); doctrine of the incarnation (the Rev. Andrew Grosso) Jan. 13-14: Old Testament II, the Pentateuch (Dr. Melissa Tubbs Loya); New Testament II, the Gospels (Dr. Jim Lewis) Feb. 10-11: church dogmatics survey (the Rev. Andrew Grosso); history of the Episcopal Church (the Rev. Bill Wolff) March 9-10: Christian ethics survey (the Rev. Andrew O’Connor); church canons (Mr. Larry Bingham) April 13-14: congregational development (Dr. David Thompson); contemporary ethics (Dr. Don Compier) May 11-12: Old Testament III, the Prophets (Dr. Melissa Tubbs Loya); New Testament III, Paul (the Rev. Richard McCandless) 

ask, ‘I’ve been on the outreach team for five years and now feel a call to pastoral care. Is this the right time, and do I have the right gifts?’ Or a person may be trying to discern whether or not to leave the practice of law to lead a non-profit network of free health clinics.” Laity who want to engage the Companions in Discernment will go through his or her parish priest for a referral to the team convener, who can get the process going.

he Commission on Ministry of the diocese has put into place a new procedure to help people who are seeking guidance about the direction their ministry should take. And according to the commission’s chair, the Rev. Gail Greenwell, that ministry may be preparing for ordination or exploring lay ministry options. It also will allow for a fuller and more proactive look at what the ministry needs are in parishes across Groundbreaking process Greenwell said this new approach offers several the diocese, to better help congregations plan for advantages to the Episcopal Church in Kansas right their future. Under the direction of the Commission on Min- now. “Communal discernment helps the fullness istry, teams of five-to-10 people from each of the of God’s will emerge,” she said. “As we share diocese’s four convocations have been trained to our thoughts with others, surprising insights often emerge, opening our assist with questions about eyes to what we have not vocations. Called “Companyet seen or heard.” ions in Discernment,” these Communal discernment Beyond that, Greenare people who were recomwell said the Companmended by their parish priest helps the fullness ions also offer a unique for their gifts of listening, disof God’s will emerge. As opportunity to help parcernment, love of the church ishes and the diocese and being able to leave room we share our thoughts with better understand what for the Holy Spirit to work. needs there are for minisGreenwell said each memothers, surprising insights try in a given place. ber has undergone more than “The ministry canons 20 hours of training in three often emerge, opening our of the Episcopal Church sessions this summer, alsay the Commission on lowing them to practice the eyes to what we have not Ministry is to assist the guidance process with each bishop with design and other that they will use when yet seen or heard. oversight of an ongoing people come to them. — The Rev. Gail Greenwell process of recruitment, Teams are made up aldiscernment and formamost entirely of lay people, tion for ministry for all although one group does baptized persons, not just those seeking Holy Orinclude a newly ordained deacon. ders,” she said. While all dioceses are charged with this task by Discerning ordination Greenwell said that at first most who seek the the canons, Greenwell said Kansas’ new model will make it the first diocese to undertake vocational help of a discernment team will be people exploring a call to ordination. In the past, those testing a call to discernment for all baptized members in this way. “It’s groundbreaking,” she said, “but it shouldn’t the priesthood or diaconate met with a committee of be,” since it’s been part of the canons for several people from their own parish. Greenwell, who also is rector of St. Michael years. And while the canons say this discernment is to and All Angels in Mission, said there were several shortcomings with that system. Committee members be done “locally,” Greenwell said it doesn’t require “got only a small amount of training” for such an that it be parish-based. “In a diocese like Kansas, important task, she said, “and in small churches, it’s with so many smaller churches, the definition of hard to take a step back and offer deep, prayerful ‘local’ needs to be bigger than the parish,” she said. reflection on someone you know well.” Now, those seeking ordination will meet four-to- Being proactive Working in partnership with the vision of the six times with their local Companions in Discernment team members, who will bring an understand- Kansas School for Ministry to train lay and oring of the region that is broader than a single parish. dained leaders, Greenwell said the Companions, for At the end of that process, they will report back to instance, could help identify and KSM could help train one person in a parish to be ordained, another the Commission on Ministry. to undertake youth ministry and another to provide pastoral care. Lay ministry, too This makes the process more proactive, which Greenwell said an exciting difference between the Companions in Discernment and previous commit- makes it more exciting, according to Greenwell. “We’re not waiting for people to self-identify,” she tees is the emphasis on assisting lay ministry. These teams can help lay people who are wrestling said. “We are clearly out in the community seeking with questions about their ministry, either inside the all kinds of leadership we need, and then asking who church or in their daily life. She said, “People might has the gifts for a particular ministry.” 

Overland Park priest will help lead 2012 Christian/Jewish study trip to Israel

he Rev. Gar Demo, rector of St. Thomas the Apostle in Overland Park, is one of three faith leaders who will head a study trip to Israel April 15-25, 2012. He will join Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn of Temple Israel of Greater Kansas City and Bill Tammeus, former Faith columnist for The Kansas City Star and an elder at Second Presbyterian Church. The study tour will spend time in Tel Aviv, northern Israel,

Jerusalem and southern Israel. An optional three-day tour of Jordan also is scheduled, with an English-speaking guide available at all stops. To make this more than just a travel experience, the three will conduct classes on “Israel Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” for all three congregations. People need not be a member of any of those congregations to attend the classes or to make the trip. Demo said the classes

before the trip “will help people understand what life was like in the Holy Land in biblical times, what it is like today and what the future bodes for this region of the world.” Tammeus said the trip will help people “understand and respect the different religious traditions people follow,” and Cukierkorn said it would be a “transformative experience” for all who go. More information is available online at http://bit.ly/nn1Yv2 

July/August 2011 • The Harvest • 5

Reaching out to

Kenya

hree teams of Kansans, numbering some 45 people, went to Kenya this summer to offer

aid and encouragement to people in the area around Maai Mahiu, through the diocese’s Kansas to Kenya ministry, known as K2K.

Photo by the Rev. Michael Bell

Bishop Dean Wolfe (second from left) and Jarrett Lockard (far right), a peer minister at Emporia State University, hold hands with a child on a walking tour of Maai Mahiu. Catherine Mwangi (far left) is a community development worker for the Anglican Church of Kenya; her salary is paid by a grant from the Diocese of Kansas.

The Community The K2K team also Team undertook several hired Kenyan doctors development projects in and other health care Maai Mahiu, a town of workers to assist Kanabout 30,000 in central sans in seeing patients. Kenya, working with The Rev. Bob TerNgeya Primary Public rill, a retired priest of School, which serves the diocese, served as 1,700 students, and All chaplain. Saints Anglican Church. The College Team They included: included Bishop  funding and overDean Wolfe, Campus seeing construction of Missioner the Rev. 24 new latrines at the Michael Bell, the Rev. school; Andrew O’Connor,  supporting youth rector of Good Shepleadership through herd, Wichita, and five awards and a soccer college students who Photo by Diane Kruger tournament; are peer ministers on John Bishop, a member of Trinity,  starting a female hyAtchison, holds a child who had their campuses. giene project to reduce Along with youth followed him around the grounds monthly absenteeism by of All Saints Anglican Church while leaders from the KeCommunity Team members built a nyan Anglican church. girls;  funding and building house for the congregation’s vicar, They built two houses the Rev. Antony Ngugi. homes and latrines for for people who were church members; displaced by violence  organizing and providing start-up following the 2008 presidential election funding for a women’s small business and who now live in tents. The construcmicro-finance program; and tion was done in conjunction with Habitat  offering conferences for women on for Humanity. legal rights, nutrition, AIDS prevention, — Melodie Woerman  and dealing with drug and alcohol abuse and family violence. Deacon Barbara Gibson of St. John’s, Wichita, was chaplain for this group. The Medical Team spent five days in the area around Maai Mahiu and helped treat almost 900 patients, including those seen by dentists, doctors and eyeglass dispensers.

Photo by the Rev. Michael Bell

Ashley Lauren, a peer minister with the Episcopal Campus Ministries of Wichita and a student at Wichita State University, teaches songs and gestures to local children.

Photo by Ashley Petty Photo by Diane Kruger

Agnes, a dental hygienist from Kijabe Hospital working with the K2K Medical Team, cleans the teeth of a young patient.

Jennifer Beach (fourth from left, back row), a peer minister at Labette Community College in Parsons, and Tristan Holmberg (far right), a peer minister with the Episcopal Campus Ministries of Wichita and a student at Butler Community College, work with Kenyan college students to lay the foundation for a house being built in a camp for people displaced by political violence in 2008 and who have been living in tents near Maai Mahiu ever since.

6 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

Diocesan Convention

Mission plan echoes recent years’ apportionments

ishop Dean Wolfe told convention delegates at recent convocation board meetings that if they’ve approved of how the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has allocated its money in recent years, they’ll like it again for 2012. That’s because the proposed mission plan reflects an increase of less than two-thirds of one percent over the current year, and parish apportionments will be almost $36,000 less than what is asked of them in 2011.

Bishop Wolfe said that the income and expenses for the diocese are called a mission plan instead of a budget for a reason. “It isn’t just about numbers” he said. “It’s what we think is most important and where we’re putting our resources.”

Where it comes from Diocesan Treasurer Doug Anning told delegates that parishes will contribute in apportionment about $1.32 million of the total $1.87 million proposed. He said that amount means parishes will contribute only about $45,000 more than was asked of them 12 years ago, in the 2000 fiscal year. If the 2000 apportionment number was adjusted for inflation,which has run about 35 percent during the period, it would amount to nearly $1.75 million today.

Anning said that during those same 12 years, the total income received by all parishes in the diocese has risen from $7 million to $8 million. He said that with apportionment held steady during that period, “an extra million dollars has stayed in the parishes.” Most of the rest of the funding for diocesan expenses will be generated by income from the diocesan endowment. Anning said that in 2000, parish apportionment payments covered about 95 percent of the budget. For 2012, parishes will fund about 75 percent of the mission plan. The extra is coming from the endowment. He noted that increased use of endowment funds not only relieves pressure on apportionment levels but also honors the intent of donors who gave money “25, 50 or 100 years ago, to further ministry in the diocese,” he said.

However, both Bishop Wolfe and Anning told delegates that the amount being asked of the endowment can’t be sustained much longer. This proposal will take 10 percent from endowment funds, about double the target. Exceeding that is acceptable on occasion, Anning said, but that level can’t be sustained over the long term.

Where it goes The total expenses proposed for 2012 to undertake the mission of the diocese shows an increase of just $11,503 over this year. While a few line items show increases, many more have held steady or are lower than current levels. Increases include a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment for all diocesan staff, modest increases in health insurance premiums, a nearly $15,000 increase in what

Convention: Central Africa archbishop will attend as a guest (Continued from page 1)

Archbishop Chama was elected to his post in February and was installed in March at the Cathedral the backbone of the Episcopal Church today,” of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, Zambia. He continues Honeychurch nevertheless said there to serve as Bishop of Northern Zambia. is “no single model of what a small The Church of the Province of Central church looks like.” He said during Africa includes 15 dioceses in Botswana, his seminar he hopes to explore Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. “what makes the small church ‘tick’ and how we can use this unique exOther business pression of Christian community to During business sessions lay delegates change the world around us.” and clergy will elect members of the Honeychurch also will be the Council of Trustees and will fill unexpreacher at the convention Euchapired terms on the Disciplinary Board. rist, which will take place at 10 a.m. They also will vote to confirm clergy on Friday, Sept. 23. All members representatives to the Council of Trustees Archbishop Albert of the diocese are invited to attend selected by each of the four convocations the service at Grace Cathedral near Chama of the Anglican (more information on all these elections Province of downtown Topeka. is on page 7). They also will consider the Central Africa

Archbishop to visit A special visitor to the convention will be the Most Rev. Albert Chama, Anglican archbishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. He will be coming to Kansas in between stops in San Francisco and New York.

proposed 2012 mission plan, or budget, which totals just under $1.88 million. One debatable resolution, which calls on General Convention to continue its financial support for the Millennium Development Goals, will be considered. There are no proposed amendments to the diocesan canons or constitution. 

the diocese is asked to pay to support the work of the Episcopal Church, an extra $1,800 to cover heavier paper for the diocesan newspaper to meet new postal

regulations, and another $1,500 to again print hard copies of the diocesan Directory and Convention Journal, a move that was requested by diocesan leaders. 

Items to note... Thursday night fundraiser to aid youth and campus ministries

he annual pre-convention fundraiser promises to be full of fun and good music as money is raised for youth scholarships and the campus ministry parish partnership program. It takes place Thursday, Sept. 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the Emerald Ballroom, of the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka. There is no cover charge but those attending will have the chance to bid in live and silent auctions. Food and beverages will be available. Those attending are invited to wear a favorite dance outfit, no matter what era it represents (even disco is acceptable). For more information contact diocesan Director of Development and Stewardship Char Dewitt at (785) 250-0060.

All women are invited by ECW to attend Saturday luncheon

he Episcopal Church Women of the diocese are sponsoring a “meet and greet” luncheon for all women of the diocese on Saturday, Sept. 24 at noon in the Pioneer Room of the Maner Conference Center, down the hall from the main convention site. Clergy and lay delegates may pick up the box lunch that is part of their convention registration and take it to the room to eat. Women who aren’t registered for convention are invited to purchase a lunch for $15 and join others for food and fellowship. The deadline for non-convention registrants to purchase meals is Sept. 12. Send a check payable to “ECW” to June Mendenhall, P.O. Box 100, Sedan, KS 67361.

Friday workshops will explore a wide variety of topics

onvention delegates will have the opportunity to pick from one of four timely workshops on Friday, Sept. 23 from 4:155:15 p.m., following the close of that day’s business:  Church leadership, presented by Dr. Barbara Andres, executive director of Episcopal Social Services in Wichita  A history of churchwide discussions on same-sex blessings, presented by Larry Bingham  The new process for ordination, presented by the Rev. Gail Greenwell, chair of the Commission on Ministry  Parish budgets: proclaiming God’s grace and generosity, presented by Char Dewitt, diocesan director of development and stewardship, and the Stewardship Committee 

July/August 2011 • The Harvest • 7

Members of Council of Trustees, Disciplinary Board to be picked At-large members, Council of Trustees

Disciplinary Board, unexpired terms

The Council of Trustees is the governing body for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas between conventions. It oversees all matters relating to programs and finance, and functions as the canonical Standing Committee for approving candidates for ordination and the election of bishops. Membership consists of six at-large members elected by Diocesan Convention (half lay, half clergy) and two members elected by each of the four Convocation boards and ratified by Diocesan Convention (half lay, half clergy).

The Disciplinary Board replaces the Ecclesiastical Trial Court and is part of a revamped Title IV process that assesses a variety of complaints that might be brought against members of the clergy of the diocese and assists officers of the process in developing an appropriate outcome. It consists of four clergy and three lay members who serve for three years. These nominees are current members appointed by the bishop, to serve unexpired terms as the transition from the Court to the Board takes place.

Clergy: Vote for 1 (three-year term)

Clergy: Vote for 1 (one-year term)

The Ven. Monte Giddings

The Rev. Dawn Frankfurt

Deacon, St. Michael and All Angels, Mission; and Archdeacon

Rector, St. James’, Wichita

Eucharist minister Current position: Deacon, St. Michael and All Angels, Mission, and Archdeacon Statement: As a businessman, past business owner, past public school teacher, vocational deacon and follower of Christ, I believe I offer a unique combination of skills to the Council of Trustees in our process of making tough economic decisions within the context of Christ’s love for all people. I believe all problems are spiritual problems and must be approached with “soli deo gloria” as the guiding principle. We are called to take on all challenges and labor fearlessly in the diocesan/parish/mission vineyards “until the nets are full,” as Deacon John Heckert used to say.

Church leadership: In the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia was on the Executive Committee, mentor for Fresh Start, chair and member of the Outreach Committee, member of the Education Consortium and member of the convention Resolutions Committee. Current position: Rector, St. James’, Wichita Statement: I am willing to serve on the Disciplinary Board for a number of reasons. I think it is important for people who serve to represent a variety of church settings and experience. I was ordained in the Diocese of Hawaii and served parishes in the Dioceses of Southwestern Virginia and Oklahoma before coming to Kansas. It is of great value to someone serving in this position to have had significant life experience, to be fair and open minded, and to be knowledgeable about and interested in the way the Episcopal Church operates and governs itself. I am a thoughtful, caring and prayerful person, and I believe I have traits that would be valuable to the Disciplinary Board. Thank you for your prayers and consideration.

The Rev. Betty Glover

Lay: Vote for 3 (one-year term)

Church leadership: Current member, Council of Trustees; past chair of diocesan Higher Education Committee; current diocesan archdeacon and parish deacon; diocesan risk manager; chair of parish Men in Ministry group; past senior warden and Vestry member; former convocation delegate; past head of parish outreach; former Stephen minister, Eucharistic visitor and

Rector, Trinity, Arkansas City and Grace, Winfield Church leadership: Current member, Council of Trustees; deputy to General Convention 2012 and Province 7 Synod 2011; member of the Commission on Ministry; chaplain and colloquium facilitator for the Kansas School for Ministry; chair of the convention Committee on Nominations and Elections Current position: Rector, Trinity, Arkansas City and Grace, Winfield Statement: As the rector of two small parishes in the southwest part of the diocese, I have a unique view into the life of the church. I believe my perspective brings a distinct voice and a solid understanding of the changing nature of the church and the way in which we maintain good stewardship over our resources. It would be my privilege to serve.

Lay: Vote for 1 (three-year term)

Janine Cox Member, Trinity, Lawrence Church leadership: Senior warden, co-chair of rector search, co-chair of the Trinity Foster Home Board, Eucharistic Minister, lector Current position: Deputy appellate defender Statement: When Bishop Wolfe asked me to serve on the Board, I was honored and gladly accepted the offer. I believe that my legal background will be an asset should a case come before the Board, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve the diocese in this capacity.

Philip Davidson Member, St. John’s, Wichita Church leadership: Former senior warden, chair of the parish Personnel Committee, co-chair of the parish capital campaign, chair of the Stewardship Committee Current position: Attorney, Hinkle Law Firm Statement: My education, training and experience in handling professional development, inquiries into professional conduct and matters in the legal arena should be helpful to Bishop Wolfe and the clergy of the diocese on matters relating to this position.

Margaret LaRue Member, Grace Cathedral, Topeka Church leadership: Vestry member, cathedral endowment trustee, Stewardship Committee member, Christian Education Committee member, Sunday school teacher, Eucharistic minister Current position: Community volunteer (past chair, The Women’s Fund; chair of the Kansas Children’s Service League Community Council; trustee of the Kansas Children’s Service League Foundation); director, Heritage Bank Statement: As a lifelong Episcopalian, I have experienced the changes and adaptations the Diocese of Kansas has made to better serve its congregations. I am interested in becoming part of the thoughtful decisions needed to continue to serve Episcopalians — young and old — in the diocese.

Glenn Horton-Smith Member, St. Paul’s, Manhattan Church leadership: Vestry member, choir member, Sunday school teacher Current position: Associate professor of physics, Kansas State University Statement: I’m willing to serve and willing to learn the appropriate disciplinary canons and the role of the Board in case it is ever needed, even while I hope the Board never needs to formally convene.

Convocation clergy members to be ratified

ach of the diocese’s four convocations — geographic areas that include the clergy and lay delegates of the parishes in that area — have selected clergy persons to serve three-year terms on the Council of Trustees, representing their respective convocations. By canon, those selections are to be ratified by Diocesan Convention. These people were selected at summer convocation board meetings, and full biographical information on them will be provided in delegate packets. Clergy convocation members of the Council of Trustees are:  Northeast Convocation: The Rev. Gar Demo, rector, St. Thomas the Apostle, Overland Park  Northwest Convocation: The Rev. Tom Miles, rector, St. Paul’s, Manhattan  Southeast Convocation: The Rev. William Wolff, rector, St. Peter’s, Pittsburg  Southwest Convocation: The Very Rev. Steve Mues, rector, St. Stephen’s, Wichita Convocation lay representatives will be selected and ratified at the 2012 Diocesan Convention. 

One debatable resolution calls for MDG support locally, nationally

ne debatable resolution will be considered by delegates when they assemble in Topeka on Sept. 23. The measure, proposed by the Rev. Gail Greenwell, rector of St. Michael and All Angels in Mission, reaffirms this diocese’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority of the diocese through 2015. The MDGs are an eight-prong effort to reduce world hunger by the year 2015. It also offers a “mind of the Convention” call for next year’s General Convention to continue its support for the MDGs by including a minimum line item of 0.7 percent of non-governmental revenue in the proposed budget presented to deputies. The mission plan of the Diocese of Kansas includes a line item of 0.7 percent earmarked for programs that support the MDGs. 

8 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

Around the diocese  St. John’s, Abilene discovered an unexpected benefit of cleaning up after a spring sewer backup — underneath the now-unusable carpet was a beautiful floor of colored concrete and terrazzo tile. After some cleaning it’s now returned to its original luster.  Trinity, Atchison hosted an open house during the city’s annual “Amelia Fest,” a July event that honors the legacy of Atchison native Amelia Earhart. The pioneering aviator was baptized at Trinity.  St. Mark’s, Blue Rapids has completed building repairs suffered during a major windstorm that struck the city in June 2010, as new siding was installed. The total damage was about $20,000, all of it covered by insurance.  Grace, Chanute is looking to grow their outreach efforts to students at Neosho County Community College and is working with Campus Missioner the Rev. Susan Terry on how to enhance the church’s presence there.  St. Paul’s, Clay Center learned more about the Dalai Lama during its monthly movie night with a screening of the award-winning documentary “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama.”  St. Paul’s, Coffeyville offers the sacrament of unction — anointing for healing with laying on of hands — the second week of each month at both the Sunday worship service and the Wednesday morning Eucharist.  St. Andrew’s, Derby will offer four Sunday school classes this fall — three for elementaryaged children and one for middle schoolers. The number of children involved in Christian education has grown from seven in 2008 to 24 this year.  St. Martin’s, Edwardsville had the benches in front of the church refurbished this summer, as part of member Jessica Christensen’s work for her God and Country badge with the Girl Scouts. She was sponsored in the effort by Deacon Deborah Burns.  Trinity, El Dorado members undertook a major cleanup of

the church and grounds on June 11, with work ranging from lawn mowing to cleaning the pews. The hard work was rewarded with a cookout.  St. Andrew’s, Emporia provided a blessing of backpacks and book bags for parish students of all ages on Aug. 14. Parents and teachers were invited to take part, too, and after the service everyone enjoyed a brown bag lunch of sandwiches, apples and cookies.  St. Thomas’, Holton continues to support the work of the local food pantry with a collection of nonperishable items once a month.  Epiphany, Independence helped send four young people to this year’s MegaCamp and two high school youth to the triennial Episcopal Youth Event.  Covenant, Junction City is joining with the local United Way to collect school supplies for students who need them. Staples like No. 2 pencils and notebook paper were gathered until early August.  St. Paul’s, Kansas City provided the site for three weeks of the Shakespeare Unbound camp, which offered girls the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues through the lens of the bard’s great work, “Macbeth.” A performance at the church July 31 concluded the camp.  St. Margaret’s, Lawrence offered summer Sunday school for young members, exploring a range of issues from caring for God’s creation, to prayers and praises arising from summer travels.  Trinity, Lawrence has a “Christian Classics” group that in August read and studied Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The group meets every other week under the leadership of Rich and Joan Ring.  St. Paul’s, Leavenworth has designated Nov. 12 as a day to help “dress a girl around the world” as members turn pillowcases into dresses for girls in need. Organizers also asked non-sewers to help provide colorful pillowcases, decorative buttons and rick rack to decorate the finished

Church key evangelism St. Andrew’s, Emporia, is offering members an easy and clever way to open a conversation with friends about church — by offering them a bottle opener. The “church key” is printed with the name of the church, along with the church’s logo and website address. The parish also offers ballpoint pens that bear the church name and logo, for those who prefer a non-frosty way to begin a conversation. Both can be picked up from a table in the church’s hallway foyer. 

garments.  St. Paul’s, Manhattan will have a booth at the annual “Purple Power Play on Poyntz” celebration Sept. 1-2 that kicks off the K-State Wildcats football season. Under the auspices of the parish Evangelism Committee, volunteers will hand out bottles of water to those attending.  St. Paul’s, Marysville is part of a new pictorial directory in conjunction with St. Mark’s, Blue Rapids, as the two congregations in Marshall County seek to enhance sharing among members.  St. Michael’s, Mission enjoyed a taste of the Caribbean with it annual “Haiti Red Beans and Rice” lunch Aug. 21. A freewill offering benefited the parish’s support of St. Paul’s Episcopal Elementary School in Torbeck, Haiti. A presentation about the school also was featured.  St. Matthew’s, Newton honored all the church’s acolytes during the service on July 17, and then treated them to pizza and a movie afterward.  St. Aidan’s, Olathe in July collected items to provide troops in Kuwait a “movie night.” DVDs and snacks like popcorn, candy and chips were gathered to provide soldiers from the New Century Army Reserve Center a bit of home during their year’s deployment in the Middle East.  Grace, Ottawa observed Pentecost with a special cake for worshippers. The treat was decorated with symbols including tongues of flame and fruits of the Holy Spirit.  St. Thomas, Overland Park sponsored a blood drive at the church through the American Red Cross on July 6. Organizers noted that someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds, and that an hour of time donating blood can save a life.  St. John’s, Parsons on June 5 saw its new set of Pentecost vestments and hangings blessed, along with a cope given to the Rev. Sharon Billman as a Christmas gift. The Pentecost set came from gifts in memory of Hoyt Stocker.  St. Luke’s, Shawnee raised more than $5,000 with a summer art auction to support the church’s “Little Dresses for Africa” project. The proceeds will pay the airfare of the person accompanying a shipment of dresses from across the country, as well as help send a container of school supplies and 6,000 dresses (made from pillowcases and fabric remnants).  Grace Cathedral, Topeka saw a record attendance of 926 people at its annual Fourth of July service, representing the largest group of people to attend a single service there in recent memory. A special

Wichita church greets its neighborhood with new sign St. Stephen’s, Wichita, recently installed a new, two-sided painted sign in its yard that not only identifies itself but also offers a word of encouragement to neighbors and members alike. The front of the sign prominently features the church name and the distinctive red, blue and white Episcopal shield. It also includes the times of Sunday worship services, the church’s phone number and the website address. The reverse side offers the words of the dismissal used in celebrations of the Holy Eucharist: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” The greeting serves as a reminder for members leaving the church and provides a word of comfort to people driving past the church building. 

collection netted more than $2,000 for the Kansas National Guard Family Support Group.  St. Luke’s, Wamego members volunteered to help deliver Meals on Wheels during September, the church’s annual time to help. Drivers agreed to pick up meals at the local Senior Center and then take them on one of three weekday routes.  Good Shepherd, Wichita is helping to provide school uniforms for students at Park Elementary, many of whom can’t afford to purchase them. Members were invited to purchase collared shirts and pants in a variety of designated sizes in official school colors and drop them off at the church before Labor Day.  St. Bartholomew’s, Wichita welcomed ELCA pastor the Rev. William Horn as celebrant on Pen-

tecost and were able to surprise him with balloons for his birthday.  St. James’, Wichita has a new walking group that gathers weekdays at 7 a.m. at the church for an hourlong walk. On July 30 they did a longer trek, along the Arkansas River. Don Holland is organizing the effort.  St. John’s, Wichita welcomed new priest the Rev. Earl Mahan and family on July 17 with a postservice parish barbecue. Members provided him with a welcome basket of goodies to help the family settle in.  St. Stephen’s, Wichita enjoyed its eighth annual neighborhood ice cream social in June. In addition to the frozen confection, the parish provided hamburgers and hot dogs, baked desserts, an auction of donated gift baskets and entertainment. 

July/August 2011 • The Harvest • 9

People

Parsons man featured in stewardship series

Photo by Karen Schlabach

The delegation to the Episcopal Youth Event from the Diocese of Kansas included 19 youth, five adult sponsors and Bishop Dean Wolfe. EYE took place June 23-25 in St. Paul, Minn.

Kansas teens hear the call to mission at national youth event

he Episcopal Diocese of Kansas sent 25 people — 19 youth, five adult sponsors and Bishop Dean Wolfe — to the Episcopal Youth Event, an every-three-years youth gathering that took place June 23-25 at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minn. They were among more than 700 youth, 300 adult advisors and 50 bishops who spent their time immersed in a comprehensive program designed to enrich and empower the next generation of leaders in the Episcopal Church. The triennial event — the second-largest gathering in the Episcopal Church — attracted delegations from nearly all dioceses in the United States as well as the Dominican Republic. It had as its theme, “Come Together: Intimately Linked in this Harvest Work.”

Shorter, more focused event Based on input from provincial youth ministry coordinators, this year’s EYE was shorter and also had a specific focus: empowering youth for service and mission. Leading off the call to mission was Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who preached at the opening worship service. Describing several reminders on her desk that “help me stay connected to a world far bigger that whatever thing I am working on at the moment,” the presiding bishop said that the Episcopal Youth Event, itself, is one of them “reminding us who we are, and whose we are and why we are here.” EYE participants had the opportunity to put the call to mission into concrete action, as the event for the first time included the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house on the Bethel grounds that will be moved to Princeton, Minn., and occupied by a single mother and her two teenage daughters. It also was the first “net-zero” eco-friendly house built by Habitat.

Many training opportunities More than 50 workshops shared knowledge, stories and skills on subjects such as prayer and spirituality, effective Bible study, youth ministry and mission trip planning. Two daily plenary sessions presented keynote speakers that included Maryland Bishop Eugene Sutton, Rodger Nishioka of Columbia Theological Seminary, Episcopal missionary Cameron Graham

Vivanco and the Rev. Luke Fodor, Episcopal Relief & Development’s network coordinator. The final plenary session — the closing Eucharist — was clearly an emotional time for many. With arms locked about friends old and new, cheers and applause for presenters and planning team members as they appeared in a slide show recounting the past three days, and literal dancing in the aisles, participants of the 2011 Episcopal Youth Event received one final call to mission. Explaining that lay persons, like bishops, priests and deacons, are “the ministers of the church,” Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, invited participants to “jump into the waters of baptism.”

Kansans reflect on experience Diocese of Kansas participant Olivia Divish, a senior from St. Luke’s, Wamego, attended her first EYE. She said her favorite part “was finding that there really are a lot of youth in the church” and that “there are more teens just like me that still care and want to keep the Episcopal traditions alive.” She said she especially enjoyed plenary speaker Rodger Nishioka, who “talked about how we each have a voice in the church and we need to put them together.” Lizzie Kezar, a senior who attends St. Andrew’s, Derby, had a big job as part of the EYE planning team, a group of 10 youth who worked for more than a year to create the event. Their work was supported by 13 adult advisors and assisted by staff members from the Episcopal Church Center in New York. Kezar was part of the worship team. That group, she said, “planned out every worship opportunity at EYE. Every big service, every little worship opportunity in the morning or at night, and we even put together the chapel.” The hard work paid off when EYE events got rolling. She said, “At the actual event in June, I just remember being in awe. Just seeing 1,200 Episcopalians in one place, worshiping together and singing together, gave me goose bumps. I definitely shed a few tears during the opening Eucharist on Thursday morning.” She said that “seeing all of our hard work being put into action was surreal.” Reporting by Joe Bjordal for Episcopal News Service and Melodie Woerman. 

ary Chubb, a member of St. John’s, Parsons, is one of six authors of a new series of reflections on stewardship designed to help people explore intentional and proportional giving in their own lives. “Feasting on Gratitude” is a six-week series of readings, reflections and questions produced by the Episcopal Church Office of Stewardship. The series has been produced as bulletin inserts parishes can download and use from Oct. 2 to Nov. 6, the period when most congregations are conducting their annual giving campaigns. Chubb’s reflection is the second in the series, for use on Oct. 9. In it he describes how he and his wife, now the Rev. Jan Chubb, vicar of St. Timothy’s, Iola, had struggled to pledge to their church when they first started out. When they decided to pledge, and then made their pledge the first check they wrote, he noted, “Giving was no longer a struggle but a goal, and, as we could, we increased that goal. Within a few short years, we reached our tithing level.”

Gary Chubb

In addition to Chubb, other authors are:  the Rev. Richard Aguilar of the Diocese of Southeast Florida;  the Rev. Jennifer BaskervilleBurrows of the Diocese of Central New York;  Bishop Greg Rickel of the Diocese of Olympia;  Bowie Snodgrass of the Diocese of New York; and  Bishop Eugene Sutton of the Diocese of Maryland. The inserts can be downloaded as PDFs from the Aug. 28 listing at http://www.episcopalchurch. org/126259_ENG_HTM.htm 

Leavenworth acolyte heads to US Military Academy

ally Sittnick At St. Paul’s she of St. Paul’s, served as an acolyte Leavenworth, and helped with Vaalready has begun cation Bible School, her academic career the Fellowship at the U.S. Military breakfast and the Academy, having Back Pack Buddies been at West Point program, and was a since June. server for a variety The teen, who of parish dinners. was active in her She also boasts parish and at Leavan impressive array Sally Sittnick enworth High of high school activiSchool, joins her older brother at ties, including class valedictorian. the academy, where he is in his president of the National Honor final year. Society, various student governSittnick plans to major in pre- ment offices, lead roles in school med with hopes of becoming a musicals and plays, marching combat trauma surgeon. band and tennis. 

Clergy news Deacon Jesse Milan of St. Martin’s, Edwardsville, was selected by the Kansas City Royals to sit in the Buck O’Neill Legacy Seat during the team’s May 21 home game. The red seat, which was where Negro Leagues and Kansas City ambassador O’Neill sat before his death in 2007, since then has been dedicated to people who have made outstanding contributions to the greater Kansas City area. Milan was honored for his many years of service to the community, to the profession of teaching and to the church. Deacon Don Chubb, Grace Cathedral, Topeka, is one of 11 members of a special blue-ribbon panel for history that has selected “25 Notable Kansans” as part of the state’s 150th anniversary observances. Chubb is well-known for his knowledge of Topeka and Kansas history. The Very Rev. Jerry Adinolfi, rector of St. Paul’s, Coffeyville, for the past 14 years, has announced that he will retire on Jan. 1, 2012. At that time the Rev. Antoinette Tackkett, who earlier this year was named priest associate at the parish by Bishop Dean Wolfe, will assume clergy leadership of the parish. Tackkett was ordained to the priesthood in January and is a graduate of the Kansas School for Ministry. 

10 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

National and international news Anglican news briefs Episcopal News Service  First woman president of House of Deputies dies. Pamela Chinnis, who was the first woman to lead the Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies, died Aug. 24 at her home in Virginia Beach, Va. She was 86. Chinnis served three terms as Deputies’ president from 1991 to 2000, the maximum allowed. She was a member of the Episcopal Church’s deputations to four meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council. Chinnis also was involved with Episcopal Church Women and was president of its 1976 Triennial Meeting. She was elected by General Convention in 1979 to a six-year term on Executive Council. She was a member of the governing board and executive committee of the National Council of Churches and was later elected to the council’s Central Committee.  Stolen Rembrandt sketch turns up at California church. The Rev. Michael Cooper was as surprised as anyone, including local authorities, when a stolen Rembrandt drawing turned up in his Encino, Calif., church office two days after it went missing from a ritzy Marina del Rey hotel. It’s anybody’s guess how the 11-inch-by-6-inch quill-pen-and-ink drawing made the 20-mile trip from exhibit at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel to St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church two days later. A retired Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, Cooper said that authorities had assured him he is not a suspect in the crime, nor is the Rev. Barry Verdi, who discovered the sketch. Cooper said he understood that about 22 works of Rembrandt have been stolen in America and this is only the third to be recovered.  Zimbabwe high court awards custody of church properties to excommunicated bishop. Anglican priests and their families in Zimbabwe may face eviction following a high court ruling awarding custodianship of Anglican church properties to excommunicated bishop Dr. Nolbert Kunonga, according to Harare Bishop Chad Gandiya. The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been under attack from the excommunicated bishop since 2007. Kunonga, with the support of police and henchmen, has seized CPCA church property and used violence to break up church services. The legal decision to give Kunonga custodianship comes only a few weeks after he appeared on national television to announce he had taken over all church properties.  Alabama bishop joins federal lawsuit against state’s immigration bill. Diocese of Alabama Bishop Henry N. Parsley Jr. has joined his Methodist and Roman Catholic counterparts in a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping enforcement of the state’s new immigration law. Parsley and the other bishops said in their suit that they “have reason to fear that administering of religious sacraments, which are central to the Christian faith, to known undocumented persons may be criminalized under this law,” according to a Birmingham News report. “If enforced, Alabama’s Anti-Immigration Law will make it a crime to follow God’s command to be Good Samaritans,” the lawsuit stated, according to the newspaper. The new law is set to go into effect Sept. 1.

Anglicans urge immediate help for Africa famine victims Episcopal News Service

nglicans around the world have issued calls for aid for the millions of people in the Horn of Africa suffering from the worst famine and drought in 60 years. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams on July 28 made an urgent appeal for donations to emergency relief activities in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. He said, “Lives are being devastated — more than 11 million people desperately need emergency relief, as well as long term solutions to ... prevent this crisis repeating itself.” On Aug. 10 the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa joined other faith groups to launch a “Call to Action and Appeal” to aid those needing food aid. In Somalia, 3.2 million people — by some estimates almost half the East African country’s population — are in need of immediate life-saving assistance, and another 11 million in the Horn of Africa have been affected by the drought. Famine and conflict have driven hundreds of thousands of Somalis across the nation’s borders in search of asylum and assistance, with some 400,000 inhabitants at Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in the world, located in northeastern Kenya.

ERD providing aid Episcopal Relief and Development is working with Anglican and Episcopal partners in northern

Photo by Jo Harrison/Oxfam, via flickr.com

Newly arrived refugees at the camp at Dadaab, Kenya, collect water at taps installed by Oxfam, an international aid agency. Many refugees have walked to the camp from Somalia and have little food to eat.

Kenya to provide food for Somali refugees crossing the border and water for villages in northern Kenya.

It also is distributing feed for livestock, which is crucial to people’s livelihoods and provides essential nutrition. 

 Cardboard structure may replace earthquake-damaged cathedral in New Zealand. New Zealand’s second largest city could have a temporary Anglican cathedral as soon as February — but the 700-seat structure will be made of recyclable cardboard. It would replace ChristChurch Cathedral, which was destroyed in the Feb. 22 earthquake that killed 181 people. The portable A-frame building, which would cost the equivalent of US $3.48 million, is to be created primarily out of cardboard tubes, with shipping containers as the foundation. A site has yet to be found, but the dean of ChristChurch Cathedral, Peter Beck, said it would be in the inner city, “offering a sign of hope and confidence and a thing of beauty in the midst of all the desolation.”  At peace service, Londoners pray for city and country. The annual peace service at Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral acquired fresh significance on Aug. 9 as Londoners gathered to pray for their city and other British communities torn by rioting that began on Aug. 6 after a peaceful demonstration in north London over the police killing of a 29-year-old man. The cathedral service was followed by a peace walk of about one mile to a Buddhist “peace pagoda.” There was an ecumenical flavor to the cathedral service as prayers of remembrance were offered for those who have given their lives in the cause of peace. 

Photo courtesy of Washington National Cathedral

National Cathedral suffers earthquake damage Mason Foreman Joe Alonso examines pieces of broken spires at the Washington National Cathedral following the Aug. 23 earthquake that struck the District of Columbia and other parts of the East Coast. The cathedral suffered significant damage, especially to the central tower, from which three of the four pinnacles (corner spires) cracked and fell onto the roof. Engineers reported that the building itself did not incur any damage to its structural integrity. The building and its surrounding area were closed to the public through Sept. 4 for safety reasons. Sunday services were relocated to the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Cathedral officials estimated the damage would cost millions of dollars to repair, and the building’s insurance policy does not cover damage caused by earthquakes. 

July/August 2011 • The Harvest • 11

10 years later: Diocese readies for 9/11 anniversary By Melodie Woerman Editor, The Harvest

Emporia priest: memories include ash, smoke, boots

ishop Dean Wolfe has offered guidance to parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas that seek to recall the 10th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The anniversary this year falls on a Sunday. In information provided to clergy and parish leaders in DioLog, the diocese’s biweekly electronic newsletter, and posted on the diocesan website, Bishop Wolfe wrote, “As we approach the 10th anniversary of this tragic moment in our nation’s history, it is appropriate to think about the most proper and meaningful ways for Christians to remember those who were tragically killed and those who gave their lives in heroic, sacrificial service to others.” He added, “In Divine Worship it is never appropriate to engage in flag-waving or patriotic sloganeering. Any attempt to politicize this sad chapter of our nation’s history or to vilify any individual religion as the singular cause of these events does not belong in an Episcopal worship service, nor do words or practices that fail to express the Christian hope that death is never the final chapter in the Christian story. Christians believe all must die and all are called to rise again to new and eternal life with Christ. “Normatively on a Sunday morning, a Eucharistic liturgy from The Book of Common Prayer would be employed as the primary template around which any other remembrances would be held.” He also provided a series of resources to help parishes not only plan liturgies but also offer educational opportunities and provide pastoral care to those needing it. In reflecting on the upcoming anniversary, he asked, “Where were you on 9/11? It is a question almost every American of a certain age can answer. I remember I had just finished a clergy staff meeting in Dallas, Texas, when I saw a video transmission of the first plane hitting the World Trade

By Melodie Woerman Editor, The Harvest

smell,” he said, “the smell of things burning.”

he Rev. Kelley Lackey Church response By Wednesday morning was a brand-new student at General Theo- the Episcopal Church had logical Seminary in New York organized relief efforts that ultimately would City on Sept. 11, take place at St. 2001, when he and Paul’s Chapel, fellow seminaracross the street ians heard reports from the towers of a major fire at and remarkable the World Trade unscathed by the Center. blast. After headUntil they ing to the chapel could open that to pray, they all building, howlearned that both e v e r, o u t r e a c h towers had been The Rev. Kelley Lackey took place at the hit by airplanes Seaman’s Church and had collapsed. He and other students raced Institute. Lackey took the toward the scene, hoping they evening shift on Sept. 13 there, where they provided meals and could be of some use. What they saw astounded replacement supplies for those them. “Thousands of people doing search and rescue. “A lot of workers came in were coming up the street, covered in ash,” he said. “They that night to swap out their were just white. You could see boots,” he said, “because the that the towers were gone, and rubble was so hot it melted the soles of their boots.” a big cloud of smoke.” Riding his bicycle back into the area, his tires leaving tracks Crucifixion, resurrection Lackey, who now is rector in the thick ash as if he were riding through snow, Lackey of St. Andrew’s, Emporia, took ended up at the Chelsea Piers, several volunteer shifts once St. Paul’s opened and returned at a makeshift hospital. He was one of several chap- there for Ash Wednesday serlains in the triage area, includ- vices. Workers from Ground ing other Christians, a Muslim Zero came in, took off their imam and Jewish rabbis. Along hard hats and had him impose with volunteer doctors and ashes on their dirty foreheads. He returned on Easter Day, nurses, they waited for the hundreds of injured they all where he saw that damaged trees had sprouted new shoots, expected to arrive. None did. After several hours they and he heard baby birds chirpwere told that no one would ing in a nest built in one of be brought in that evening. them. Lackey said his 9/11 expe“We knew,” he said, “that there rience forever will color his wasn’t anybody to bring in.” He rode back to the semi- view of the world and is deeply nary, where he fell into bed connected to his priesthood. “I’ve seen crucifixion and but had a hard time sleeping. “There was such a strong acrid resurrection,” he said. 

Photo by James Wheeldon, courtesy of Trinity Church, Wall Street

Military personnel gather just outside St. Paul’s Chapel on Sept. 11, 2001, as debris from the fallen World Trade Center towers litters the street and smoke from the towers’ collapse is in the background.

Center. The events and the emotions of that day will remain with me for the rest of my life.” He concluded his remarks by saying, “May the Lord who sees us through such deep tragedies keep us always walking toward the Light.”

Services in the diocese Two churches in the Diocese of Kansas have announced special services for Sunday, Sept. 11. Grace Cathedral, Topeka, will offer an interfaith “Service of Peace, Unity and Prayer” at 10:30 a.m. Joining Episcopal faith leaders will be representatives of Topeka’s Jewish Temple Beth

Shalom and the Islamic Center of Topeka. Cathedral dean the Very Rev. Steve Lipscomb said the three faiths will “pray for peace and unity among nations and peoples and an end to hate based on unfounded religious principles and ideas.” St. Michael and All Angels, Mission, will host “An Evensong of Remembrance and Hope” at 5 p.m., featuring Scripture readings, prayers, music and times of silence. On a screen suspended over the altar will be shown a photo collage on the theme of hope and healing. 

Church leaders encourage opportunities for remembrance and reflection Episcopal News Service

piscopal Church and other religious leaders are planning interfaith events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council has invited all Episcopal communities “to open the doors of their institutions” during the Sept. 10-11 weekend to commemorate the anniversary “with acts of prayer and remembrance, service, creativity, interfaith cooperation, education, community building and fellowship, offering our institutions as active, accessible sites of healing for our local communities.”

‘Work for healing’ Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in an Aug. 18 statement that the anniversary is “an opportunity for

reflection,” adding that the Episcopal Church “continues to work for healing and reconciliation.” She said, “The greatest memorial to those who died 10 years ago will be a world more inclined toward peace. “ Bishop Jefferts Schori will preach at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, at St. Paul’s Chapel in New York, a few yards from where the World Trade Center stood, and at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. In the aftermath of 9/11, Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan became sanctuaries for those seeking consolation. For eight months after the attacks, St. Paul’s Chapel served as home to a volunteer relief effort, prompting the presiding bishop to note that “St. Paul’s Chapel … opened its doors to the emergency responders, and

volunteers appeared with food and socks, massaging hands and praying hearts. “Volunteers continued to staff the chapel for months afterward, and prayers were offered as human remains were sought and retrieved in the ruins of the towers.” As it did a decade ago, Trinity will open its doors in September to all seeking spiritual refuge. A series of commemorative events will be held at Trinity and St. Paul’s from Sept. 6 to 11 under the theme “Remember to Love.”

Services in D.C. Washington National Cathedral has announced a three-day commemoration, titled “A Call to Compassion,” in collaboration with the Pentagon Memorial Fund, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and the Flight 93 National Memorial. Concerts on Sept. 9, 10 and 11 will ad-

dress issues of honor, healing and hope, respectively. President Barack Obama will speak at the Sept. 11 concert. On Sept. 11, the cathedral will hold an interfaith prayer vigil from 8:30 to 10 a.m., when participants of diverse faiths can pray together. Participants will include the dean of the Cathedral and the Bishop of Washington, as well as leaders of the Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths. A forum on compassion will take place from 10:15 to 11 a.m., and a commemorative celebration of Holy Eucharist will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The events will go on despite damage sustained to the cathedral during the Aug. 23 earthquake that struck the East Coast. All events at the Washington Cathedral will be broadcast live on their website, www.nationalcathedral.org. 

12 • The Harvest • July/August 2011

Reflections on faith and life

Sharing the Good News

Brother’s autism gives teen patience By Laurina Hannan

To help further his and others’ awareness of autism, Levi does research projects and makes presentations about it. Earlier this year, some of the brochures he designed on autism awareness were distributed in several statewide programs. For a school project he studied Temple Grandin, the internationally acclaimed specialist in animal science who happens to be autistic. He focused on how she overcame people’s lack of understanding about the disorder to fulfill her dream of graduating from college. Levi wants to be like her and do public speaking. She is aware of his project and has wished him luck. She even sent a congratulatory letter when Levi was made an Eagle Scout. My family’s goal is to teach Levi how to be an independent adult, fitting in with society. He’s in a lot of programs designed to teach him basic life skills. I love Levi very much. His autism presents challenges every day, but he’s taught me so much. I’ve learned how to be patient and understanding, and how to have a thick skin when other kids are unkind. Most of all, Levi taught me to be respectful. I don’t disrespect him by making a fuss over his autism. I don’t give him special treatment. I simply try to be more patient with him. I’m lucky to have such a kind, honest brother. I wish everyone I know could get to know him, so they could learn the lessons Levi has taught me. A person’s differences, like Levi’s, can lead to new ideas and better understandings. Laurina Hannan, a member of St. Luke’s, Wamego, will be a freshman at McPherson College this fall. 

September 2011

October 2011

Kansas School for Ministry classes, Bethany Place Conference Center, Topeka (through Sept. 10)

10 Youth Fall Fun Fest, St. Margaret’s, Lawrence (through Sept. 11) 11 Bishop Wolfe’s visitation to St. Stephen’s, Wichita 12 Bishop Wolfe at House of Bishops’ Meeting, Quito, Ecuador (through Sept. 21) 13 Fresh Start, Bethany Place Conference Center, Topeka 22 Commission on Ministry meeting, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Topeka

Bishop Wolfe’s visitation to St. Peter’s, Pittsburg

11 Council of Trustees meeting, Bubb Room, Grace Cathedral, Topeka Fresh Start, Bethany Place Conference Center, Topeka 14 Kansas School for Ministry classes, Bethany Place Conference Center, Topeka (through Oct. 15) 16 Bishop Wolfe’s visitation to Church of the Covenant, Junction City 23 Bishop Wolfe’s visitation to St. Mary’s, Galena 30 Bishop Wolfe’s visitation to Good Shepherd, Wichita

Congregational vitality seminar, Maner Conference Center Pre-convention fundraiser, Emerald Ballroom, Capitol Plaza Hotel 23 Diocesan Convention, Capitol Plaza Hotel and Maner Conference Center (through Sept. 24)

For the latest news of the diocese, full calendar listings and more, visit the diocesan website: www.episcopal-ks.org. Follow the diocese on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseofKansas and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EpiscoKS

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live with autism. I don’t have the disorder, but my 13-year-old, eighth-grade brother, Levi, does. My family and I face challenges every day, because most people don’t know how to interact with autistic teenagers. At an early age, Levi was diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder. This means it takes him longer to process information, and longer to respond. Levi likes being alone, needs a routine, prefers pictures over text, and doesn’t like to be touched very much. He has difficulty expressing what he’s thinking. He can’t deal with simultaneous distractions, since he can’t block them out to concentrate. He has a hard time reading other people’s emotions and maintaining eye contact. Levi’s sense of right and wrong are very strong. He has an eye for color and has terrific balance. After hearing or seeing something, he can copy it, and he has perfect pitch. Sometimes it takes him a while to learn something, but once he knows it, he won’t forget it. Levi really likes Legos and electronics, and his favorite activity is playing computer games. If he’s not on the computer or doing homework, he’s watching television or movies, absorbing every line and lyric. It sometimes can be a problem when he mimics “Family Guy” in the middle of math class or Gabriel Iglesias in a youth retreat talent show. He can’t quite distinguish between relevant and inappropriate. Levi’s autism alters our family’s dynamics. When doing chores, Levi sometimes gets overwhelmed with lists, so he’s

told to do just one or two things a time. He also is easily distracted and struggles with a sense of time, so something like brushing his teeth can take 30 minutes. Levi’s teachers and paraprofessionals are asked to communicate with my parents about his school assignments in a journal. Sometimes things don’t make it in there, and he misses due dates. My parents can’t make sure Levi is working on things if they don’t know about them, but Levi is the one punished with a bad or failing grade. He usually finishes classroom assignments in a special resource room, but while there, other homework is piling up. By the end of the day, he has a monumental workload. Some nights he’s working on homework longer than I am. Many of Levi’s peers don’t understand that he can’t help the way he acts. Conflicts can arise quickly. Sometimes he has a meltdown when another student is doing something Levi thinks he shouldn’t. And sometimes he’s bullied. More than once he’s come home from school crying because kids on the bus broke or stole his possessions. After that, it can take a few hours for him to calm down. Sometimes I’m with a group of Levi’s peers who don’t realize I’m his sister. I get really upset when they make fun of him, but I let them say it, and then I tell them that he’s my brother. It might be a little mean to make them feel guilty this way, but Levi and I are family. Levi didn’t know he was autistic until last year. Mom showed him a DVD and told him it was about other kids just like him. Afterward, he spent most of the afternoon in his bedroom playing with his Legos.

Diocesan Calendar

The mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas is to gather, equip and send disciples of Jesus Christ to witness to God’s reconciling love.