February ONE

eRELATIONSHIPS pastors discuss how media, technology have influenced couples A PUBLICATION OF THE ELLIS COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE

FEBRUARY

UNIQUE UNITY

marriage ceremony different, but still centered on christ

2012

ONE

page 2

FEBRUARY 2012

ONE is the official publication of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance, which guides its mission, content and theme.

It is printed by The Hays Daily News.

Dear ONE Reader

M

uch of this issue is devoted to love and romance and the way our culture speaks about it. It is a fitting topic since February is the month of Valentine’s Day, but also because love and romance are the “way” we operate in our world. Most people choose to be married, and even those who are not married will have one or two “romantic love relationships” at some time in their lives.

As a Christian community, then, we should be concerned about our romantic love situations and what they mean. Our guide, as always, is the way Jesus thought about the subject we are considering. Consequently, we wonder if Jesus had anything to say about father romantic love relationships.

Jesus talked about marriage from the point of view of permanence, but he did not give any guidelines on romantic preparation for the marriage. Dating as we know it here in our Western culture was not even considered in our Lord’s time, simply because he did not know of the custom. So Jesus did not have a lot to say about dating patterns and romantic love situations except some guidelines that can be taken from some of his other words.

And some of those words dealt with brotherly and sisterly love. In fact, he and his disciples gave us a number of guidelines about love which can be used continually in our study of romantic love. One of my favorites comes from the letter to the Colossians: “But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts” (Colossians 3:8-15).

The thought occurs to me that if all of our romantic love situations would use that passage as a guideline, our lives, romantic and otherwise, just might be a lot better.

Mike Scully

If you are in need of emergency assistance or your church cannot be reached, contact

First Call for Help

at (785) 623-2800.

Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Volume 5, Issue 2

ONE advisory board Pastor KEVIN DANIELS Hays Christian Church rev.kevin.daniels@gmail.com

Pastor BERNIECE LUDLUM First United Methodist Church pastorbl@hotmail.com

Pastor KYLE ERMOIAN Celebration Community Church kyle@celebratejesus.org

Pastor Lesley Radius Trinity Lutheran Church www.trinityhays.org

STEVE JOHNSON United Methodist Campus Ministry umcmfhs@yahoo.com

Father MIKE SCULLY St. Joseph Catholic Church frmikescully@yahoo.com

The columns in ONE represent the views of the author.

ONE and the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance encourage submission from ECMA congregations.

Photographs, stories, testimonies and other submissions should be directed toward your church leaders or sent via email to one@dailynews.net.

The ECMA advisory board will choose appropriate and timely submissions for publication.

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance board will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 8 at Westview Church.

Inside

Page 4.................................................................................................................. MESSAGE at the TOP

By Father Mike Scully Page 5.........................................................................................................ENCOURAGING WORDS

By Pastor Kyle Ermoian Page 5....................................................................................................... CAMPUS CONNECTIONS

By Steve Johnson Page 6.......................................................................................................‘TO HAVE AND TO HOLD’

By Dawne Leiker Page 11............................................................................................................BIBLE READING PLAN

By Pastor Steve Dinkel ON THE COVER: Riley and Margo Voth were married Dec. 31 at Celebration Community Church.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYLEY CHARLES

ONE

FEBRUARY 2012

page 3

INTERNING IN FAITH: Peace, love and eHarmony “Upon my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not; I call him, but he gave no answer. ‘I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him, but found him not.”— The Song of Solomon 3:1-2 (NRSV). echnology has changed the face of the dating scene among many in this culture. Dating services such as eHarmony.com and Match.com offer new opportunities for single people to “shop” for a potential relationship partner. I often wonder if this is really a good thing. Most certainly these new methods of meeting a romantic partner has helped people connect, but at what cost? Does this service really get at the heart of the matter for people?

During the recent century, the dynam-

T

ics of searching for a romantic partner has one who makes them happy. It is yet one more thing someone else has chosen to changed. The women’s rights movement profit off of someone else’s need. However, pushed for a more egalitarian relationship bashing these websites format, something that is not the point I hope was not always presto get at. Instead, I want ent in history nor often to explore more of the portrayed biblically. The intern “why” people use these current generation prides services. The answer is itself on making huge simple: a need to love steps in bringing forth a and to be loved. People relationship in which both are feeling lonely, and desire companionpartners share rather than enforce a hierarchy. Yet, dating services have turned this ship.

The Song of Songs is well known for movement from a search for partners of mutual compatibility and attraction to how being love poetry. It is about two lovers coming together in a loving and caring best to sell ourselves to attract the “right” mate. The websites promise to match the relationship. The little piece at the beginuser with a partner who will be compatible ning of this article, however, talks about the before time. Before every relationship according to the website’s definitions.

Yet many leave unsatisfied. Only a small begins, there is always a time of longing, a time where loneliness dominates the spirit. percentage of people actually meet some-

Erik Grayvold

A longing to be with someone who loves you and whom you love. This can happen even if one is in a relationship already. Our current generation has tried to fill that gap by using technology. Other times in history have tried to fill it in other ways.

In all honesty, I wish I had more answers than questions regarding this topic. For the people I leave hanging, those who are in that state of loneliness, I hear you. I do not see an answer to this whole topic, but instead I just see a disregard to the issue at hand and the reality of a whole situation.

Loneliness is a problem in our society, and I do not really see it getting any better if the answer to meeting new people is to sell ourselves over to technology.

Erik Grayvold is the intern of Prairie Faith Shared Ministries and serves St. John Lutheran of Ellis and Emanuel Lutheran of Ogallah.

He can be reached at sjlcellis@gbta.net.

Walk for a grieving T-shirt heart

Door prizes Fitness + Fun NEW MID-WEEK KIDS PROGRAM

Snacks, Games, Music, Crafts, Bible Lessons, Scripture Memory NEW MID –WEEK KIDS for 4 years-5th Grade

Wednesdays 3:30-5pm Celebration Community Church PROGRAM (Just North of I-70 at exit 157)

Contact Penny McGinnis 785-625-5483 or penny@celebratejesus.org

Snacks, Games, Music, Crafts, Bible Lessons,

9 a.m. Feb. 11 Colby + Hays + Sharon Springs

call or e-mail for registration 1-877-447-4383 or rachelsvineyard@salinadiocese.org

benefit for Rachel’s Vineyard Ministry healing the pain of abortion one weekend at a time

ONE

page 4

FEBRUARY 2012

MESSAGE AT THE TOP: You’re changing my mind

M

ark the evangelist introduces Adam Levine of the group Maroon 5: “My Father Mike’s the Pharisee Joseph of Ariheart’s a stereo. It beats for you, so listen mathea at the crucifixion and close, hear my thoughts in every note; Gospels in the top 5 death of Jesus this way: make me your radio, and turn me up As of Jan. 22 “(After Jesus died,) when it was already when you feel low. The melody was meant 1. “Brighter than the Sun,” Colbie evening, since it was the day of preparafor you; just sing along to my stereo. I Caillat — John 15:9-11 tion, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph apologize for any skipping tracks; it’s just 2.

“Stereo Hearts,” Gym Class of Arimathea, a distinthe last girl that played Heroes with Adam Levine — Mark guished member of the me left a couple cracks.

15:42-46 council, who himself was Now, I’m over that. If I 3. “Not Over You,” Gavin DeGraw awaiting the kingdom of could only find a note father — Mark 5:25-34 God, came and courato make you under4.

“Mr. Know It All,” Kelly Clarkgeously went to Pilate and stand, I’d sing it softly son — John 14:7-9a asked for the body of Jesus. in your ear. Just keep 5.

“Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon Pilate was amazed that he it stuck inside your 5 with Christina Aguilera — Luke was already dead. He summoned the cen- head like your favorite tune, and know 10:38-42 turion and asked him if Jesus had already my heart’s a stereo that only plays for died. And when he learned of it from the you. Thought love was dead; now, you’re centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Hav- changing my mind.” a while,” simply “exist.” We should work ing bought a linen cloth, he took him down, In the clever lyrics of the song, we can for something totally different only after wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid see the person in the song had a difficult him in a tomb that had been hewn out of past relationship, one that had left “a couthe rock. Then he rolled a stone against the ple cracks” on the “CD” of his life. Now, entrance to the tomb.” (Mark 15:42-46) he’s hearing interest from another, and, At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, as he says, “you’re changing my mind.” He one can guess that as a member of the is acknowledging he is changing, but one Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea had senses he is taking his time in allowing the been against what Jesus taught, but change to happen. had changed his mind the more he got He is exemplifying a pattern of beto know him. When Jesus died, Joseph havior that can be helpful to everyone, “courageously” approached the governor whether there is a romantic love involved asking permission to bury this person that or not. Change is difficult, especially after he had come to believe. similar situations in the past have ended Modern love songs speak of change all in a painful way. If something has prothe time. Many times it is a change that duced pain in the past, we will be caucomes after significant pain. A case in tious about the future. In fact, it is a good point is the song “Stereo Hearts” by the principle for worthy living. Before any group Gym Class Heroes singing with change can take place, one has to “live for

Mike Scully

St. Fidelis Food Bank The St. Fidelis Church Food Bank, 601 10th St., Victoria, is an ongoing effort to feed the hungry as Jesus requested. It supplies non-perishable as well as perishable foods.

Supplies are limited to what we can receive from the state of Kansas and donations.

If you or anyone you know — friends, family or neighbors — would benefit from the Food Bank, contact the parish office at (785) 735-2777.

If any parishioner or organization would like to contribute to the food bank, bring donations to the parish office during office hours or call to schedule a convenient time.

some time and serious thought.

Joseph of Arimathea in the Gospel studied his situation and changed his mind to follow Jesus. The person in Gym Class Heroes’ song was studying his situation as he looked at the possibility of romantic love. They both produce a lesson that teaches us the necessity to spend some time of serious thought before significant change in our behavior patterns.

Good and gracious God, as human beings we are often cautious about change because changing behavior is difficult.

Help us learn the lesson of cautious change, and in the end, give us the grace to change our behavior so as to accept your son completely, no matter what our lifestyle. Be with us, we pray.

Father Mike Scully is from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays.

ONE

FEBRUARY 2012

page 5

ENCOURAGING WORDS: Speaking to my heart The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:32-33 n 2009, a number of Christian leaders came together to write the Manhattan Declaration. This document was born out of an urgent concern about growing efforts to marginalize the Christian voice in the public square, to redefine marriage and to move away from the biblical view of the sanctity of life. It originally was signed by about 150 prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders and scholars.

In that document, the authors affirm that in Scripture, the creation of man and woman, and their one-flesh union as husband and wife, is the crowning achievement of God’s creation.

“In the transmission of life and the nurturing of children, men and women joined as spouses are given the great honor of being partners with God himself. Mar-

I

riage then, is the first institution of human themselves, their children, the communisociety — indeed it is the institution on ties and societies in which they live. Where which all other human institutions have the marriage culture begins to erode, social pathologies of every their foundation. In sort quickly manifest the Christian tradition themselves. Unfortunately, we refer to marriage we have witnessed over as ‘holy matrimony’ to pastor the course of the past signal the fact that it is several decades a serious an institution ordained erosion of the marriage

by God, and blessed by culture in our own counChrist in his participatry. Perhaps the most telling — and alarmtion at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In ing — indicator is the out-of-wedlock birth the Bible, God himself blesses and holds rate. Less than 50 years ago, it was under marriage in the highest esteem.

5 percent. Today it is over 40 percent.

“The Bible teaches us that marriage is Our society — and particularly its poorest a central part of God’s creation covenant. and most vulnerable sectors, where the Indeed, the union of husband and wife out- of-wedlock birth rate is much higher mirrors the bond between Christ and his even than the national average—is paying church. And so just as Christ was willa huge price in delinquency, drug abuse, ing, out of love, to give himself up for the crime, incarceration, hopelessness and church in a complete sacrifice, we are despair. Other indicators are widespread willing, lovingly, to make whatever sacrinon-marital sexual cohabitation and a fices are required of us for the sake of the devastatingly high rate of divorce.” inestimable treasure that is marriage.

I know of this first-hand as a divorce “Vast human experience confirms survivor and that is why I wholeheartedly marriage is the original and most imporaffirm the ECMA’s Marriage Policy that tant institution for sustaining the health, encourages clergy to not perform a wededucation and welfare of all persons in ding ceremony until at least four months a society. Where marriage is honored, of premarital counseling has taken place. and where there is a flourishing marriage I add to that a personal pledge to me from culture, everyone benefits — the spouses

Kyle Ermoian

the couple that they will not have sexual relations until their wedding day.

Recently, I had a couple who, because of some health insurance issues, decided to “legally” marry at the county courthouse in order to qualify for some benefits but who remained sexually abstinent until I performed a marriage ceremony in a church setting in the presence of God, family and friends some six months later. I am so proud of them and their understanding of the true meaning of marriage.

As the Manhattan Declaration states: “To strengthen families, we must stop glamorizing pre-martial sexual relations, promiscuity and infidelity and restore among our people a sense of the profound beauty, mystery, and holiness of faithful marital love. The impulse to redefine marriage in order to recognize same-sex and multiple partner relationships is a symptom, rather than the cause, of the erosion of the marriage culture. It reflects a loss of understanding of the meaning of marriage.

It is critical that the impulse be resisted, for yielding to it would mean abandoning the possibility of restoring a sound understanding of marriage and, with it, the hope of rebuilding a healthy marriage culture.”

Kyle Ermoian is the founding and senior pastor of Celebration Community Church.

CAMPUS CONNECTIONS: Romance in the electronic age

“O

MG! Did you see? Roger and Rachel are Facebook official!”

Romance in the electronic age brings about its own set of problems. Even something simple like email can confuse romantic intentions.

When my wife was away at school and I knew she was missing me, I once sent her an entire email filled with nothing but x’s and o’s. I wasn’t sure which meant kisses and which meant hugs, but I figured I was being quite romantic. She thought the email had a virus because there were no real words and she deleted it without replying to me.

Here are some thoughts recently Facebooked to me:

It’s sad a relationship has to be considered “Facebook official” in order for people to notice. Whatever happened to going up to your friends and saying “This is my new boyfriend, and we’ve been dating for about a month.” There are some couples you can tell are together or about to get together without Facebook saying it’s official. And then there are some couples that make you go “When did they get together?”

A lot of what happens in electronic media about relationships can make college students feel like they are “in middle school again.”

Texting in a relationship easily can

Steve Johnson

turn in to the old “you hang up first” game couples played a generation ago. There is something about a text that begs a response, and back and forth the messages can go for hours without either person really learning anything about someone they think they love.

Yet another student writes, “There is the high level of public scrutiny — it is kind of hard to get to know a person when everything is on Facebook and all their friends can come to conclusions before they meet you.”

Even those who don’t base much, if any, of their relationship on any electronic media do at least text, tweet or Facebook about their boyfriend/girlfriend to their friends in general. And then there are blogs. It amazes me the things we used to write privately in a

journal that we locked with a key and hid in a drawer now often are posted on the Web for everyone to read.

Phone apps, video and Facebook games are terribly addictive. For some people, this not only isolates them from other people in general, it also becomes the primary “relationship” in their lives.

The best advice regarding romance and electronic media I received, though, was to remember the words of Ephesians 4:29, which I have adapted as follows: Let no evil (words) come out of your (phones/computers), but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who (read).

Steve Johnson is executive director of United Methodist Campus Ministry. Contact him at umcmfhs@yahoo.com.

ONE

page 6

FEBRUARY 2012

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 ESV

To have and to hold story by dawne leiker

M

any bridal traditions might have flown out the window when Riley and Margo Voth planned their New Year’s Eve wedding, but central to the entire evening was their unity through Jesus Christ.

“A wedding ought to be the most joyful thing ever,” Riley Voth said.

“It’s a great thing, a celebration.

“And it represents our relationship with Christ.”

Planning for the Voths’ wedding evolved during a short time compared to many traditional weddings. With an engagement of only four months, the Voths set a wedding date only two months before the wedding.

“Cheap” was one adjective the Voths wanted to apply to their wedding, as they planned to pay for the event themselves. Both the bride and groom enjoy creating things, and set out to find “crafty” ways of decorating and entertaining.

“Even if we had $30,000, we wouldn’t have spent more than $2,000,” Riley Voth said. “We’d rather have a couch or a car for what some people spend for their wedding.”

Mason jars and barrels filled with sticks and sage brush gathered from the Hays area and Riley Voth’s family’s ranch in Oklahoma gave a rustic charm to the worship space of Celebration Community Church, where both the wedding ceremony and reception took place. Fabric flowers hand-crafted by Margo Voth served as decoration and also bridal party corsages and boutonnieres.

Both Riley and Margo Voth are

photos courtesy of hayley charles

members of Celebration Community Church.

Margo is a Fort Hays State University senior math major from Scott City. Riley, an Oklahoma native, graduated from FHSU last spring with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and public relations. His FHSU career began when he was recruited from Garden City Community College on a cross country and track scholarship.

ABOVE: Riley and Margo Voth poured orange and purple paint onto a canvas to symbolize their unity in marriage. “Every bit of it was symbolic and we explained that in the audio that played while we did it,” Riley Voth said. LEFT: The Voths were married Dec. 31 at Celebration Community Church in Hays.

FEBRUARY 2012

ONE

page 7

ABOVE: The bridesmaids and Margo with their homemade bouquets by Margo and their dresses they all can wear again. RIGHT: The Voths end their ceremony with a traditional kiss, with Margo standing on a suitcase. “Everyone laughed ... then cheered,” Riley said.

Much of the Voths’ wedding theme was inspired by a journey motif, with suitcases used throughout the worship space. A suitcase even became a key prop during the ceremony, when it came time for the wedding kiss. A friend placed a suitcase on the ground for the bride, who is nearly a foot shorter than the groom, to stand on during the kiss.

Some folks might have been a bit surprised at the Celtic-punk music coming from the church’s sound system.

Riley Voth selected the music, which was heard by the bride for the first time at the wedding rehearsal.

“Our groomsmen and bridesmaids kind of danced down the aisle to it,” Riley Voth said. “They really had fun with it.”

Many details of the wedding plans emerged during the final days of planning, and as Brant Rice, Celebration Community Church Edge pastor who performed the wedding ceremony, explained, the format for the couple’s wedding developed during their meetings together. Riley and Margo Voth told him their plans were “a little different,” but not to worry.

“As he started getting more of the details, he said, ‘Oh, that’s cool. ... I really like that,’ ” Riley Voth said.

With a focus on the wedding vows, the couple incorporated their personal testimony into a slideshow depicting the couple as they each grew up, expressing tangible ways God touched their lives throughout the years and their relationship with one another.

To symbolize the couple’s coming together in marriage, they created a unity painting, each pouring a color over a canvas on which they had previously painted a “V.” The purple and orange painting now hangs in the couple’s home.

Although the Voths’ wedding celebration combined imaginative details and light-hearted fun, the underlying theme was quite serious.

“When we were planning this wedding, the thing we wanted to share the most was what God talks about in marriage and what it really means to be married and to love each other the way Christ loved the church,” Margo Voth said. “We said ... if anything happens, that’s what’s going to happen.”

ECMA to participate in bridal fair The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance will have a presence at this year’s Wedding Showcase on Feb. 4 at The Mall, Hays.

Jane Vanek, pastoral associate at St. Joseph Catholic Church, said the group’s booth shares information about marriage preparation and can test individuals and couples about their readiness for mar-

riage. Vanek said there will be materials for couples and individuals to pick up and review during the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Our whole purpose is to make sure that couples take as much time to prepare for their marriage as they do for the marriage ceremony,” Vanek said.

ONE

page 8

What’s

SCOT LISMAN FAMILY, Hays Christian Church

happening

Hometown:

Scot is from Dallas. Marci is from Wichita.

Family:

Daughter, Madison.

Local churches are sponsoring the following events this month.

Feb. 3 — Hays Christian Church will host The EVENT at 7 p.m. The theme for the night of family fun is “Snowflake Fun.” There will be games, a short family devotional, crafts and snacks. For more information, visit hayschristianchurch.org or call (785) 625-0094.

Feb. 10 and 11 — North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak, will host the Art of Marriage conference 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11. Cost is $42. Register at www.TheArtofMarriage.com, or call the North Oak church office at (785) 628-8887.

Feb. 11 — Ellis United Methodist Church, 1201 Washington, Ellis, will host its annual Valentine’s Dinner at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Barbershop group “Prairie Timbre” will be the entertainment; roast beef, green bean almandine, scallop potatoes, bread, chocolate mousse and your choice of tea, coffee or water will be the meal. For ticket information, call the church office at (785) 726-3372. Tickets are $10 and will not be sold at the door.

Feb. 11 — Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Group, 2703 Fort, is hosting a Valentine’s Weekend Spaghetti Dinner with all the trimmings including chocolate fountain and cheesecake. Meal starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are 2 for $20, or $15 for one. Reserve tickets by emailing tlchays@eaglecom.net or calling (785) 625-2044. The dinner supports an upcoming mission trip to New Orleans for Trinity youth.

Send your events to one@dailynews.net.

Occupation:

PROFILE OF FAITH

Jan. 29 — Hays Christian Church, 22nd and Marshall, will host a “Big Day” celebration at 10:45 a.m. It is a kickoff for a new fourweek sermon series entitled, “Do You Hate Religion but Love Jesus? You’re Not Alone.”

Refreshments will follow. For more information, visit hayschristianchurch.org or call (785) 625-0094.

FEBRUARY 2012

Scot works at Enersys and for EMS in WaKeeney. Marci is a teacher at Early Childhood Connections, Munjor.

Church activities:

Scot — praise and worship team (drums and vocal); Sunday school teacher for sixth through 12th grades; worship service presider; children’s message.

Marci — president of Phoebians women’s group; runs PowerPoint; cleans church weekly; children’s church teacher; worship service presider.

Favorite Bible passage:

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

How has faith affected your life?

After Madison was born, and for several years thereafter, Scot would go to his Christian church, and I would go to a Catholic church. We would take turns bringing Madison to the different services. If Scot did not feel like going to his church, I did not go to mine. We did not want that to be the way we raised our daughter.

Some friends of ours went to Hays Christian Church and suggested we try it. We grew to love the church and have been there seven years.

This has made our family strong in faith and brought us closer together and gave us a great church family we depend on, as well.

What has been the biggest test of your faith?

The biggest test of our faith came when I became pregnant with our first son, Derek. The pregnancy was going well up until about the 34th week. I went to the doctor and had my usual weekly stress test. The nurse could not find the heartbeat.

The nurse then called the doctor to do a sonogram. The sonogram confirmed the baby had passed away.

We thought about how our God could do this to us. What did we do?

After being induced and delivering naturally, we had a son, Derek, only to have his funeral days later. The doctor said the cord was wrapped around his neck, so we went with that excuse. We thought, let’s try again. It can’t happen to us twice, right? A year later, we were pregnant again with our second son, Jacob.

I went in again toward the end for weekly stress tests. It was like deja vu, the same nurse, the same doctor, everything. Unfortunately, we had

the same outcome — delivering our second son and having his funeral days later. After that, turning to the Lord was tough — why? It had happened twice; maybe we were not meant to be parents.

We did end up trying again and became pregnant with our daughter, Madison. Throughout the pregnancy, we prayed for a good heart and a good mind. The congregation of Hays Christian Church was praying for us, but I wasn’t sure what that was all about. I won’t go into specifics about Madison, but we did have her June 27, 2001, in Kansas City, since I was such a high-risk pregnancy. She was born with caudal regression. We were amazed she had exactly what we prayed for — a good heart and a good mind. She since has had her legs amputated due to her malformed legs, but we still have what we prayed for and then some.

She is our little angel and we praise God he gave her to us. She shows us God has a plan for us all and only he knows what that is.

St. Joseph’s FOOD PANTRY OPEN: 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of each month at St. Joseph’s Parish Service Center, 210 W. 13th

Upcoming dates: Feb. 4 and 18; March 3 and 17; April 7 and 21

  

  

ST. JOSEPH PARISH OFFERS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Natural and necessary…..

          

         Weekday Mass Times:       Monday, Wednesday, Friday—6:45 a.m.        Wednesday Spanish Mass—6:30 p.m.        Tuesday and Thursday—8:00 a.m.         Weekend Mass Times:       Saturday—5:00 p.m.           Sunday—8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.       Sunday Spanish Mass—12:00 p.m.                               

St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church 2901 E. 13th, Hays, Kansas, Parish Offices: (785) 628-1446 Fax: (785) 623-4207, website: www.heartlandparishes.org Rev. Daryl Olmstead Rectory: 656-0336 Mass Schedule: Saturday at 5 PM Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Daily Mass - Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 AM Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM

February 15, 2012 February 29, 2012 March 14, 2012 March 28, 2012

April 11, 2012 April 25, 2012 May 9, 2012 May 16, 2012

The death of a loved one and other losses Change our lives forever.

Grief is a journey that deserves attention, respect And the support of others to heal.

Journey Through Grief is a grief support group of 8 sessions to help you understand and embrace the journey. Caring for your needs will help you discover a fullness to living and loving again.

4:00 to 5:15 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish Service Center 210 West 13th St. Registration required by February 10, 2012 Please call: Sister Janet LeDuc, CSJ at 625-7356 or e-mail: stjcare@ruraltel.net

Grab a cup of coffee And a Bible Join Mother 9 a.m. M— F 88.1 KVDM

Mother Angelica

Catholic Radio

ONE

page 10

FEBRUARY 2012

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE: Success and significance

Jerre Nolte

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats Healing the pain of abortion one weekend at a time

year, many of us have re-examined our “physical health,” our “successful health” and our “spiritual health.” Maybe we’ve explored how we do or don’t measure up to what we think we want or need out of life.

Maybe some of us might have been discovering various adjustments in our spiritual life that need to be examined more closely. We know it just doesn’t seem quite right, but we can not figure out what it is. Family, friends and coworkers have encouraged us to get in touch with it, but we’re at a loss as to just what it is.

Qubein might have given us all a way to check our pulse of life when he suggested we can implement a couple of self-examination tools to diagnose our condition. First, are you looking for suc-

Christian Radio

A

greatness in the lives of those around me? ccording to Dr. Nido Qubein How do I make an impact in the circles of in his book, “Seven Choices for Success and Significance,” success influence where I find or place myself?

To choose success or significance, you is secular and significance is spiritual. must be a strategic thinker who has a It doesn’t matter how you define your clear vision of what you own spirituality. Spiritual want to accomplish and matters are always finer, develops a solid stratdeeper and longer-lasting pastor egy that answers three than secular matters. questions: Who or what Qubein said success am I today? Who do I focuses on fans, fame and want to become? How fortune. Often, success do I get there? is focused on tasks, even When implementing your strategic goals. Whereas, Qubein has determined plan for success, it really comes down to significance focuses on faith, family and deciding what you want most to achieve, friends. Often, significance focuses on determining the first step to getting what purpose. Why am I here? What do I do you want, and doing the first thing that with the talents, experiences and skills will start you moving toward your goal. that I have? How can I make the world As we’ve recently begun the new a better place? How do I plant seeds of

The Rev. Jerre W. Nolte is senior pastor at First United Methodist Church, 305 West Seventh, (785) 625-3408.

MercyMe 88.1 88.5FMFM Serving Hays and Ft. Hays State University.

Listen to the Rock Show Saturday nights from 9-1.

Next Retreat: Feb. 17-19 1-877-I-GRIEVE or 1-877-447-4383 rachelsvineyard@ruraltel.net CONFIDENTIAL

cess or significance in the way Qubein has them defined? In other words, are you needing a dose of fame and fortune or are you needing an infusion of faith, family and friends?

Whichever it is, be honest. Name it and claim it. Then, begin the process of developing strategic goals to get you in that place. Once you have identified the area of life you desire to address, look at real steps you can take that will put you on the path toward that goal. It doesn’t matter how you define your own spirituality.

Success or significance, the choice is yours. You are the one to take the next step.

Casting Crowns

ONE

FEBRUARY 2012

SCRIPTURE: Bible reading plan

G

reetings Reading Plan reader.

How are your New Year’s resolutions doing? I hope you are keeping up with the Bible reading plan. If your January was as full as mine, I’ve had to spend some extra weekend time catching up. I have enjoyed our readings immensely this year. If you remember, we are reading the New Testament pastor in the order suggested by the Community Bible Experience ministry. (More resources available at www.biblica.org.)

In the Old Testament, we will continue reading through the prophet Isaiah’s writings. We will finish the sections of the denunciation and invitation prophecies. In these sections, God was warning his people judgment would be coming if things didn’t change. Embedded in these passages are many rich promises of the coming Savior. The book of Isaiah is one of the most quoted prophetic books in the Old Testament. You might have recognized some of the passages Jesus spoke in the Gospels, recorded first in Isaiah. Sometimes we forget God gives us many opportunities to change destructive patterns in our lives, but if we don’t heed them, tragedy and sorrow could be ahead. Great application for today, don’t you think?

We will finish Luke and read most of Acts this month. These two books are authored by the Apostle Paul’s associate, Luke. His agenda was to give an orderly account of the story of Jesus and record the establishment and expanse of the church. It’s important to see yourself in the book of Acts. God still is establishing and expanding his church, and now he is using you.

Steve Dinkel

page 11

Conference to discuss small, rural ministries Submitted

REXFORD — A frustration often voiced by those living on the Plains is the isolation. The positive side of our rural area is seen in friendliness, collaboration and a hard-working spirit. However, resources and training often are located long distances away, and the cost of obtaining them puts further restrictions on the church workers needing them.

The Christian Workers Conference, Let these readings empower, hosted by Shepherd’s Staff Inc., offers an equip and encourage you. God answer to the problem of isolation. This still is doing these works in our conference, taking place March 3 at Heartdays. He still uses these same miracles as a land Christian School in Colby, will bring calling card to communicate his desire for an array of resources and training to local us, to save us, heal us, deliver us from evil, congregations. establish us as his own blessed people. Do Main speaker Brian Wechsler, executive more than enjoy these readings — become director of Village Missions, understands them. Read on. the heart of rural ministry and has a pasSteve Dinkel is pastor of Liberty sion for strengthening small congregaFellowship, libertyis.com, or libertyis@ruraltel.net. tions. He will preach on Philippians 2:5-8.

In this passage, Paul commands believers

FEBRUARY

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

OLD NEW 1........... Isaiah 23............. Luke 23 2........... Isaiah 24............. Luke 24 3........... Isaiah 25............. Acts 1 6........... Isaiah 26............. Acts 2 7........... Isaiah 27............. Acts 3 8........... Isaiah 28............. Acts 4 9........... Isaiah 29............. Acts 5 10......... Isaiah 30............. Acts 6 13......... Isaiah 31............. Acts 7 14......... Isaiah 32............. Acts 8 15......... Isaiah 33............. Acts 9 16......... Isaiah 34............. Acts 10 17......... Isaiah 35............. Acts 11 20......... Isaiah 36............. Acts 12 21......... Isaiah 37............. Acts 13 22......... Isaiah 38............. Acts 14 23......... Isaiah 39............. Acts 15 24......... Isaiah 40............. Acts 16 27..........Isaiah 41............. Acts 17 28......... Isaiah 42............. Acts 18 29......... Isaiah 43............. Acts 19

to have the same mind or attitude as that of Christ, which involves “a willingness to abandon what we desire” and “a willingness to accept what we dislike.”

Workshops run throughout the day and are organized into tracks covering subjects such as men, women, youth and college, children, music and missions, leadership, technology issues, and legalities. Workshop leaders will use their own training and experiences to encourage and equip those who attend.

In addition, vendors will be on site to demonstrate and sell resources throughout the day. Vendors include standard, group, the Puppet Factory, Child Evangelism Fellowship and many more.

Registration for the Christian Workers Conference is $40 per person through Feb. 10 and $45 after that. Call Shepherd’s Staff Inc. at (888) 687-2565 or visit www. shepherdstaff.org to register and for more information.

Prairie Land Food

Prairie Pak: $26 (includes meats, fruits and veggies) Plus two volunteer hours Meat only: $14 (includes the meat in the regular Prairie Pak) plus one volunteer hour Fruit & Veggie: $12 (includes the fruit and vegetables in the regular Prairie Pak) plus one volunteer hour Specials: Four different specials are offered each month.

Meat, Fruit & Veggie and Specials Paks can be purchased with or without the Prairie Pak, giving you more flexibility when ordering; there is no limit.

Order date: Feb. 13. Order locally and pay with check, cash or EBT food stamps. Or you can order online at www.prairielandfood.com and pay with your debit card or check.

Pick-up: 11 a.m. to noon, Feb. 25, Liberty Fellowship, 120 W. Ninth, Hays, and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at St. Mary’s Gym, Ellis.

For more information, call Liberty Fellowship at (785) 625-6245 or Linda Hagan (800) 2981989. Volunteer hours no longer are required to be documented.

Have adult or children’s education classes in your church? Send us pictures and details for the March issue of ONE ... one@dailynews.net

Sponsoring Churches of ONE

TriniTy LuTheran ChurCh

(ELCA) Lesley M. Radius, Pastor 2703 Fort St. 785-625-2044 Sunday 10:15 a.m.

(Holy Communion is Celebrated Every Sunday) Fellowship Following Worship www.trinityhays.org