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.

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 Sandee Scott. 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!

ROTATION SUNDAY WILL BE ON

SEPTEMBER 22ND.

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council Minutes

 August 21, 2019

The regular meeting of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council was held August 21, 2019 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

The following churches and representatives were in attendance: Bethlehem – Richard Jensen(absent) & Margaret Schmitt; St. John – Bob Schonthaler & Katie Dreiling(absent); Immanuel – Raymond Rumpel(absent) & Donna Deines; Emanuel – Larry Pearson & Kathleen Fabrizius; Our Redeemer – Tonya Fenley(absent) & Joe Lutters; Zion – John Fabrizius & Curt Fabrizius

Also, in attendance was Pastor Randy Gibbs, Pastor Jon Anderson(absent), Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig, Intern Kim Frederking and guest Patty Lutters. Devotions were given by Kim Frederking.

• The minutes of the last meeting (March) were read and approved

• The treasurer’s report was approved as printed.

  Staff Reports

• Pastor Randy announced that there will be an upcoming class entitled “Lutheran Lens” to be held at St. John 6:00 p.m. with pizza on September 15^th. This will be a refresher class of Lutheran Theology and all are invited to attend. The First Communion class will be offered September 14 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Bethlehem. This class will be centered around 5^th graders, but all are welcome to attend.

• Pastor Jon was unable to attend the meeting due to a surgical procedure. All went well and he will begin is dialysis soon.

• Intern Kim Frederking reported on past events that were held at St. John. Sunday School at St. John will begin September 8^th and Confirmation will begin September 11^th to be held every other Wednesday form 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. St. John will have a wedding in November and upcoming baptisms. Emanuel is beginning to thrive with new members and increased attendance.

  Intern Kim attended a Candidacy Retreat and her committee will be following Wartburg’s recommendations of ending the Internship in October rather than January. She has scheduled a week off in October due to heavy class workload. She also plans to attend the Bishop’s Convocation in October.

Internship Committee

• The Internship Committee met last Thursday. Since the Internship will end early the will begin preparing for final evaluations.

Health and Wellness Committee Report

• Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig reported the July 14^th Hymn Fest was well received and would like to do it again next year. She also reported on the Transportation project. Met with the WaKeeney City Council on Tuesday and the possibility of expanding the Cities grant, will be meeting with other groups to secure letters of intent to support this project. The next Health and Wellness meeting will be September 23. She also thanked the council for designating the Parish Nurse program to receive the loose offering from the last Joint Service.

Communications

• None

Old Business

• There have been volunteers from several of the congregations to serve as Worship Leaders. Those volunteers so far are Lisa Garrett, Leana Garrett, Sean Conness, Johni Keller, Katie Dreiling, Jennifer Colby, Lynelle Shubert, and Taylor Schoenthaler. If there are others interested, they should contact one of the pastors. A worship leaders training, to be led by the Bishop is being planned for the near future.

• Discussion was held concerning the future of PFSM and its member congregations. Both pastors are nearing retirement. Each council member needs to visit with members of their congregations to answer the following question: “What is the one thing that is most important to the people of your congregation?

New Business

• Discussed the mailing of the monthly newsletter. It was decided that due to increased high mailing costs that the newsletter will no longer be mailed. Members may receive the newsletter by email or you can find it on the Prairie Faith website. Hard copies will still be printed and delivered to each of the churches and members may pick one up. Each congregation should check their constitutions for how members are to be notified of Annual Meetings to make sure that obligation is fulfilled.

• Discussed the ELCA announcement that the church has adopted a resolution to be a sanctuary church and what that means.

• Kim Frederking presented a proposal of call. Council members discussed the proposal with her and then went to executive session for the remainder of the discussion.

• September 4 at 7:30 p.m. has been set for a PFSM Executive Council meeting.

 The next PFSM council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Kathleen Fabrizius will have devotions.

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!