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.

 Bethlehem— Sunday, January 20th, following worship

Immanuel— Sunday, January 20th, following worship

Emanuel— Sunday, January 20^th @ 8:30 a.m.

Zion— Sunday, January 27th, following worship

  The Trego County Ministerial Alliance will once again sponsor a special prayer service January 23, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church starting at 6:00 p.m. with a meal. Soup will be provided. All other congregations will provide relishes and desserts for a total of 130 to be served. This will include all Midweek Students & families.

  FEBRuary 13, 2019

12-step Alcohol/Drug Recovery Group meetings every

Tuesday @ 6:30p.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church basement.

338 N 7^th St, WaKeeney (come in through northeast door)

Questions?  Call (785) 743-2005

It’s that time of year again!! 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!

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council Minutes

November 8, 2018

The regular meeting of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council was held November 8, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

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

Also, in attendance was, Katie Dreiling, Pastor Randy Gibbs, Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig, Pastor Jon Anderson, and PMA Kim Frederking. Devotions were given by Margaret Schmitt.

• Katie Dreiling was welcomed as the new member to the Prairie Faith council from St. John replacing Bill Dietz. Thank you, Bill, for your years of service.

• The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved

• The treasurer’s report was approved as printed.

Staff Reports

• Pastor Randy reminded everyone of the Western Kansas Fall Conference to be held at Bethlehem Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. There will be a service project, video, worship and a round table discussion during the meal.

• Pastor Jon shared his health concerns. He has received word of a live kidney donor and the process has begun to determine if they are a match.

• PMA Kim has finished the CPE class. She will begin her internship sometime in January.

Internship Committee Report

• Pastor Randy will be putting together an internship committee to begin in January

• Proceeding to apply for an Intern from Wartburg for the 2019-2020 year even though there will be a 5-month overlap

Discernment Committee Report –

• The committee met for the last time and it has been dissolved.

Health and Wellness Committee Report

• Parish Nurse Nancy Bollig handed out a written report to be reviewed later and it is attached to these minutes. She highlighted the 12-step alcohol/drug recovery support group now meeting at BLC in the basement on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. We all are encouraged to spread the word about the group.

• Work continues on increasing out-of-county medical transportation services for Trego residents

• Sunday, Nov. 18 is the Parish Nurse Ministry Thanksgiving Dinner to be held following the WELCA Thankoffering Joint Service. A reminder that we are offering rides to the meal and making home deliveries- let Nancy know if you know of someone who is alone for the holiday or homebound.

• Sunday, Dec. 16 the Parish Nurse Ministry is organizing Christmas Caroling. We will start out in WaKeeney at about 3 o’clock at Sr. Apartments, then Keeney Village, and then the hospital. We will then travel to Ellis to the Good Samaritan Home. Finally, everyone is invited to attend the Carols & Candles Service at St. John at 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, December 21 is the date set for the Longest Night Service at Bethlehem 7:00 p.m.

Communications

• PFSM will be donating $90 to purchase 6 wreaths to represent each Prairie Faith Church for the Wreaths Across America Service on Saturday, December 15, 11:00 p.m. at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery.

Old Business

• The Halbleib Band Concert and worship service went well and enjoyed by those that attended

• The Joint Reformation Service was held this year at the Presbyterian Church

New Business

• Thank you, Katie Dreiling, for volunteering to serve on the Prairie Faith Council as the representative from St. John

• St. John Lutheran Church is having a fundraiser, selling Poinsettias for $25 per plant. The due date is Nov. 16 but may be extended to Nov. 18. Please contact a St. John member if you wish to purchase a plant.

• WaKeeney Community Thanksgiving Service to be held at the Methodist Church Nov. 18 at 4:00 p.m. Brandon Nimz will be preaching

• The WaKeeney Community Christmas Dinner will be held December 14 at the Methodist Church, 12:00 p.m. Each WaKeeney Church is to provide 5 salads, 2 desserts, and 1-2 volunteers.

• December 16^th Bethlehem & Zion will be joining together for the Children’s Christmas Program. It will be followed by a Joint Men’s Chili Cook-off. All gentlemen are invited to bring their prepared chili recipe to be shared – everyone is invited to come and help pick a winner and enjoy the meal. Following the meal please join us for Christmas Caroling!!

• The Prairie Faith 2019 Budget will be presented and open to discussion during the Thanksgiving Dinner following the WELCA Joint Service. The format of the meeting will be to ask for congregational members to offer their opinions in written or spoken form of:

1. What are we doing well?

2. What are you bothered about?

3. What should we be looking at for the future?

4. List a specific project that Prairie Faith should do for the future.

    This meeting is being planned to give “you” an opportunity to share your concerns, joys, fears, and ideas. We hope it will be informal, relaxed and not take up too much of your time.

The next PFSM council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Katie Dreiling 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!