Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

March 04, 2021

WELCOME

Welcome to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Located in north central Kansas, six ELCA Lutheran congregations have stepped out in faith to enter into a truly shared ministry. We strive to provide the best tools for our members to grow as disciples of Christ and to proclaim the Good News of Christ within our communities and throughout the world. We hope you will join us at one of our churches for service on Sunday to experience for yourself the fellowship of Christ.

upcoming events

~~NEW OFFICE HOURS~~

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

STARTING 08/17/2020

Rotation Schedule

March 7th

Bethlehem — Pastor Jon

St. John — Lay Leader

Emanuel — No Service

Zion & Our Redeemer — Pastor Kim

March 14th

Bethlehem — Pastor Kim

St. John & Emanuel — Pastor Jon

Zion — Lay Leader

Our Redeemer — Lay Leader

March 21st

Bethlehem — Pastor Kim

St. John & Emanuel— PMA John Dumler

Zion — Lay Leader

Our Redeemer — Lay Leader

March 28th — Palm Sunday

Bethlehem —

St. John & Emanuel — Pastor Kim

Zion & Our Redeemer — Pastor Jon

Alternate text

Bishop Candea

scandea@css-elca.org

Our hope lies in the foolishness of the cross

I’ve been thinking a lot about hope these days. How do we have hope while still being honest about the realities and challenges we face? There is hope that we will finally get this virus under control with the roll out of the vaccines, but at the same time are warned “we are not out of the woods yet.” Many had hopes at the inauguration of a new president that we could come together as a nation and heal. Yet we continue to be deeply divided along partisan lines. Where is the hope that the church will be a public voice that proclaims the good news of God’s reign of justice when many still interpret this as being too political and don’t agree with what “justice” looks like? Some are just hoping that the church, that their congregation, will continue to exist.

We are in the season of Lent which is not typically described as a season of hope. That is the focus of Advent. But if Lent is about journeying with Jesus to the cross, I would propose that this is indeed a journey that leads to hope because our hope lies in the foolishness of the cross.

Think about it. Instead of just repeating, “Jesus died on the cross” (what does that really mean?), let’s review what actually happened. Jesus’ public ministry barely lasted three years, three years of traveling on foot without the capacity for mass communication. He didn’t raise any money for a campaign, didn’t start a new organization, didn’t change any public policy, didn’t rally troops to storm the palace, didn’t get elected king. He didn’t just crawl up on the cross and die. He was arrested and executed by the authorities of the day because his teachings and actions challenged the status quo, daring to proclaim that this was God’s, not Caesar’s, reign and that God’s reign was a very different way of life. He died a painful, humiliating death which “proved” that Rome was stronger than Jesus and his followers. It is foolishness to look at the cross and see anything but defeat.

Yet, we dare to believe that on the cross, God was doing something new. We dare to trust, with our eyes wide open, that in the humiliation, the suffering, the weakness of the cross God is present. We dare to embrace the foolishness of the cross and hope, not in ourselves, but in God.

Richard Rohr (whom I quote often because I find his writings so insightful) wrote about the need to be “holy fools.” He said, “it is not about protecting the past by control (conservatives) or reacting against the past by fixing (liberals). Both groups are too invested in their own understandings to let go and let God do something new.”

Lent is a time for us to face and be honest about our agendas, biases, egos, need to both control and fix things (confession of our sins) so that we might let go and return to God (trust that God is indeed doing something new.) What decisions might we make, actions might we take, words might we share if our hope was truly in God to do something new? What might hope that clings to the foolishness of the cross look like? That is our challenge and invitation this season. That is where we experience healing and transformation, not just survival, for the church and for our neighbors.

Let’s start being “holy fools!”

PFSM Council Meeting

02/02/2021

The regular meeting of PFSM council was held Feb. 2, 2021 at BLC. The following churches and representatives were in attendance: Bethlehem - Richard Jensen and Margaret Schmitt; St. John - Bob Schonthaler and Katie Dreiling; Zion - Curt Fabrizius.

Also in attendance were PFSM Faith Ministry Nurse, Nancy Bollig and (via conference call), Pastor Jon.

*Devotions were given by Katie. (Thank you Katie!)

*Minutes were approved as written.

*Financial report was approved as presented.

*Staff Reports -

Pastor Jon - Pastor Jon was quarantined due to covid test time requirement preceding his watchman device appointment. He attended via phone. He shared the new rotation schedule. (See printout) Lenten services (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday) will be held at Zion. Pastor Jon will possibly be doing the regular Wednesday Lenten services from BLC, pending approval from BLC.

Pastor Kim - Pastor Kim was out of town but sent a written submission to Bob and Pastor Jon (which I will just copy into this report and add council's thoughts with each item if there were any).

-Address getting pulpit supply people their checks to them the day they lead worship. It is a professional courtesy to be followed.

(This can be done if Kyra is informed in a timely manner to write check but if it is someone new we need to address what the mileage is when date is set with supply person.)

-Approve stipend be paid to lay leaders. The restructuring of PFSM will be a long process and this will display a respect for their service and encouragement to continue. I suggest $50. a service.

(We agreed that $50. per service be paid.)

-I have downloaded a copy of Wartburg's Collaborative Learner program and have a phone meeting with the director of the program of February 5. Will share what I learn after the conversation with both of you.

(Collaborative learner deals with a student studying online but living here and serving somewhat like an intern.)

-Strongly suggest that all PFSM council members read the PFSM Agreement. I will prove useful moving forward.

(Nancy located agreement and we were provided printed copies. Members unable to attend might request copy on paper or online.)

-Notifying you of my July family vacation. I will be gone from July 8 - July 22.

-We (St. John church) are now routinely livestreaming our Sunday worship when our tech is present.

-St. John will be planning a festival for St. John church building 100th anniversary. It will be in October.

-I am at BLC each Monday from 10 - 4.

- Lenten services (at St. John) will be held with supper at 6:30 and worship at 7:30. No services the Wednesday just prior to Maundy Thursday.

-I am in the planning stages of a First Communion Class to be held in March. It is to be held at St. John but one at BLC also is recommended. Quite a number of students attending midweek have not had their First Communion. The dates set would allow for a celebration of First Communion on Easter Sunday. Jon, shall we plan tp work together? Or separately?

(Pastor Jon and Pastor Kim decided to work together on this.)

-Will begin pastoral care of those on my list on Mondays while in WaKeeney. I have already officiated at a funeral.

Nurse Nancy- Nancy presented a written report but added the following items that happened at meeting the night before-

-A new Lenten calendar was printed and is in the newsletter. Extra copies are available.

-Nancy visits with many homebound PFSM people. It was suggested we start a "prayer partner" program with these people since they are not able to participate in the usual way. Since no confidential information would be passed it was approved and we have started! If anyone has names or people to include or would like to be on the "I am praying for you and care about you" end, please contact Nancy.

-We are hoping the van will be here in March or April. News of this van was in Hays Post!!!

-We are hoping to have a workshop, possibly in the fall, presented by Pastor Christine on spiritual life.

-A new idea was presented, "A Kansas Walkabout". This would be to encourage physical and mental/social health. Planning is in process.

-Next meeting will be May 24 at 5:30 PM. Guests and input always welcomed!

*Communications - The church secretary received five envelopes from Immanuel, each addressed to the remaining PFSM congregations. Kyra will make sure each church receives their envelope.

* Old Business -

-2021 budget was okayed.

- Rotation schedule printed (as noted before).

- Reformation Sunday is October 31. Hopefully this can be a "worship together" event!

-Portico - Pastor Jon noted it will be middle of 2022 before he will be eligible for "Advantage" Plan.

*New Business -

-Cantors, lectors, and organists are needed for Lenten services at Zion.

-Zoom meeting/phone call with Bishop Candea on February 13 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM will be set up through church office. People can call Kyra to set up a time.

* Next meeting will be April 6, 2021 at 7:30 PM

* Devotions will be given by Richard.

These are interesting times, to say the least. One of the things we have discovered is that it is hard to be a person of faith in these trying and fearful times. What are some of the things you find difficult to deal with as a person of faith these days? What are you wrestling with? What questions do you have? On Tuesday evenings, from 6-7 p.m., we will be gathering to talk about these things together. Perhaps we will find answers, perhaps not. But it will be a time to talk together as people of faith about issues that concern us, and listen to the concerns of others. Best of all we will discover that we are not alone! We can support each other in this journey. If needs arise, we are open to other times and specific topics. Just let us know. Join us.

It is important to remember during these times of “social distancing” that we are all together in our love of God and our love of the mission at PFSM. Despite our temporary Coronavirus suspension of most church activities, we will continue to pay our bills, meet our monthly obligations, and care for our Staff and employees just as they care for you and our church facilities. To that end, we ask everyone to remember to give your offering as you normally would each month. If you want you can drop it off at the PFSM office or mail it to:

PFSM

338 N. 7^th St.

WaKeeney, KS 67672

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

338 N 7th Street
WaKeeney, KS 67672

Emanuel Lutheran Church

27037 Highway 147
Ogallah, KS 67656

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

510 E Cedar Street
Ness City, KS 67560

St. John Lutheran Church

394 St John - St Andrew Rd

Ellis, KS 67637

Zion Lutheran Church

27001 283 Hwy

WaKeeney, KS 67672

midweek1

**Due to Covid-19, no meals are being served. MidWeek is from 6:45p.m. - 7:30 p.m.**MidWeek is open to ALL children and adults in the area. It begins @ 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening (September-April) with a delicious meal prepared by Ruth Shiltz, Margaret Schmitt, and Doris Hafliger. After the meal around 6:30 p.m, the children have music with Marlene Long & Kerah Deines. Then, from 6:45-7:30p.m. the children have their religion classes. Also during the children's class, there is an adult bible study group in the church library room from 6:30-7:30p.m. Parents are encouraged to eat with their children and then head to their bibly study while their kids are learning about God! Adult Bible Study is open to everyone in the community, not just members of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Volunteers for MidWeek are ALWAYS needed and appreciated!! It’s going to be a great school year full of learning and fun!

Look at Our Photos

Come see a slideshow of the 2014 Vacation Bible School, the April Joint Service, and the 2014 Live Nativity - get a glimpse of the activities that take place at PFSM. Check out the video of past Joint Reformation Services posted under Prairie Faith Memories Photos.

Meet Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

Come to the About Us section to meet the church leadership, and find out what we're all about!