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Join Father Andy Houltberg who will preside at the Eucharist at St. James Church on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. Father Andy will also lead Adult forum on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
The General Convention of The Episcopal Church takes place June 23 – 28, in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, link to: https://generalconvention.org/gc81/ Please pray for a spirit of holiness and civility and pray for the election of our new presiding bishop.
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Since Mtr. Dawn is on holiday, I've been tasked to write this week's message of the moment. And since I'm at camp in the moment of writing this, let me tell you about Tuesday. Usually, we have what we call, "high-y." The name comes from the location on the campground (owned by the Y) up high on a hill. There's an amphitheatre and altar on the hill. Every year, the whole camp has Eucharist with guest clergy, youth ministers, etc. That is, almost every year.
Due to Tuesday's storms, we ended up having this service indoors without some guests who couldn't make it (cheers to Chelsea who braved the storms and arrived safely) and without electricity for much of it. It was chaotic. Some of the campers were stressed. And yet, God was present. When it came time in the communion liturgy for the Sanctus, the musicians, amongst the chaos, didn't have the music in front of them. So, in response to the proper preface, "...as we shout with joy", the whole camp started joyfully shouting praises to God!
This unorthodox, even whimsical response from children is a great reminder that worship is expressed in many forms. From our lovely choirs to the shouts of children and everything in between, when every voice is lifted, true praise to God is given. I look forward to seeing you wherever we meet and especially look forward to hearing every voice lifted in song on Sunday!
- Dakota Bennett -
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Summer Schedules
May 25 - September 1
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Want to know if we need additional volunteers for a specific week? Click one of the service schedules below. If you see a +Add button on a particular serving role, that means someone has declined their assignment, and we still need a volunteer to fill in. You can click +Add to sign up for that spot. | |
Summer Worship Schedule
Don't forget that we are celebrating summer with a new worship schedule! We will worship at 5:30 pm on Saturday and 9:30 am on Sunday, through Labor Day. Services will be held indoors, as usual.
Our final summer service will be a special outdoor worship and picnic for the Labor Day (Sunday) service, just like we had for Memorial Day.
We will return to our typical schedule with 3 weekend services on Start-Up Weekend, September 7-8.
Summer Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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A Message from Maddy Bishop
Hello St. James family! As many of you know, I have completed my Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and am set to be ordained as a Deacon on June 15th. I am so excited to be back at church on the 16th to serve as a Deacon for the first time!
It is a busy season of life for me as I get married back in Princeton on June 29th. After our wedding, Emily and I will make the move to Kansas! I am excited to announce that I will be a Curate at St. Andrew's, Derby and Urban Young Adult Missioner at St. Bartholomew's, Wichita. My work at St. Andrew's will look like a more traditional curacy, involving preaching, worship planning, and going on home visits. My work at St. Bart's will focus more on expanding the clothing ministry, community outreach, and brainstorming new worship models. I am so excited to be back in Wichita and to be serving in these roles.
Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support have meant the world to me and I am so thankful for all the ways you have loved me and lifted me up since I first joined St. James back in 2017. I hope to see many of you at church on June 16th!
Maddy Bishop's ordination to the diaconate will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 15 at Grace Cathedral in Topeka, KS.
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Summer Adult Forum
Our Summer Adult Forum Kick-off is June 9th, immediately following the service until 11:45 a.m. Join us for an enlightening discussion with Fr. Andy Houltberg as he delves into how ESS Breakthrough has transformed his spiritual journey. On June 16th, we will hear from Judy Goodpasture from the Outreach Committee on how the ministries St. James supports interweave with Judy's spiritual journey.
Discover firsthand Go: See and Be Seen and gain valuable perspectives on faith and self-discovery.
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We are pleased to announce the newest graduates of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program, Terry Anderson and LoWaine Robison. They will receive their certificates at this Sunday's 9:30 am service. We have been blessed to spend four years with them in prayer, study and discussion. - Paul Rillema and Deb Bagby | |
Summer Breakfast Fundraisers
Join us for the following Breakfast fundraisers this summer! We will have one in June for an Eagle Scout Project, and one in July for the St. James Youth. Both breakfasts will be served after the 9:30 am services on their respective Sunday.
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‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot’
The Story of Possum Trot, follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the
hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would
take. By doing the impossible - adopting 77 children. This East Texas community proved
that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won.
Click here to find out how to get tickets to the early showing on June 12.
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Vacation Bible School
VBS is June 17-21 from 5:30-8pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N Clifton Ave. Please register your kids today! It is free and dinner is included.
We need 8-10 volunteers from St. James: Fellowship Hall Leader from 5:15-6:30 each night, Assistant Teacher from 5:30-8:30 each night, Kitchen Crew 5:00-6:30 Monday, and Tear Down Crew during the day on Friday. Contact Chelsea for more information.
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Nursery Volunteers still needed!
We are still short-staffed in the Nursery and need volunteers. To keep the nursery open and operating, we need 10 volunteers to commit to a Sunday every 2 months. You can spend time with our kids, love them, and minister to their needs. If you are interested, please contact Chelsea or call the office, 683-5686.
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Parish Prayers for the Week of June 9 | |
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In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo
In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:
Botswana, Zimbabwe
In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:
Pray for St. John’s, Wichita
Our seminarian, Maddy Bishop
Those discerning a call to the priesthood:
Paul Leeker, Elizabeth Wenger
Those serving in the military:
Davis Jackson; Will Corkins; Maureen Tanner
Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:
John D.; Morton & Kibblewhite families; Casey M.; Joel K.; Michelle L.; Janet C.; Marcia & Lowell; Gus G.; Buck & Gladys; Erin S.; Helene; Fred; Gerry H.; Gail P.; Thelma; Tom H.; Bill M.; Erin C.; Joan M.; Peg B.; Diana M.; Ed & Kim; Susan G.; Peggy S.; Jean E.; Kelby; Judy T.; Mary; Darwin P.; Sam & Beth; Barbara S.; Hazel S.; Allie N.; Kris S.; Judy; Larry R.; Jodie & family; Simon family; Nancy C.; Drew H.; Elena S.; Bella P.; Ann B.; Daimon; Anna; Dick & Judy; Liz; Peer M.; Brianna P.; Sylvester; Sharon & Jerry; Jan M.; Pat; Andy S.; Sue C.; Martha L.; Joseph B.; Joan J.; Jayne P.; Deb H.; Dal H.; Carole U.
Those who have recently died:
Stephen Gleissner; Robin Spurrier; Myrna Morton, Ruth Bledsoe (mother of Gene Bledsoe); Terry House; Jeri Moss; Peter Criss (son of Sam Criss);
Some who have died in June in the past:
Robert Alford; Bob Armstrong; Wanda Bentley; Betty Bonnell; Wayne Brinegar; John Carroll; Vesta Cotner; Howard Ellington; Nelda Ellington; Bruce Fitts; Julia Goodland; Grant Graybill; Nadine Harrison; Keith Johnson; David Jones; Julia Kline; Carol Konek; Harold Lehr; Jim Lewis; John Luerding; Bud Lytle; Lou Ann McFerson; Martie Noll; Bob Ralstin; Dean Rickman; Thelma Shannon; Debbie Stephens
For the sake of privacy, we do not list the last names of those who are on our prayer list because of trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or adversity. We do our best to include last name initials in the event that two parishioners with the same first name exist.
If your prayers have been answered, let us rejoice with you. Please contact the office to let us know we can remove your prayer request. If you have prayers you would like added to the prayer list, please contact the office at office@stjameswichita.org or 316-683-5686.
Loving, Liberating and Life-Giving
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Safe Church Training June 8 at St. Stephen's, Wichita
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas is committed to providing a safe place for all people to share in God’s love and celebrate the joy of following in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
An in-person training will be offered Saturday, June 8 from 10 am - 3 pm at St. Stephen’s Wichita. Lunch will be provided and donations are appreciated to help cover meal costs. The training will be held in the fellowship hall of the church. Register online.
The diocese’s Safe Church policy, describing how we carry out this commitment, is available to view on the diocesan website.
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Discerning God's Call Retreat
Formerly called the Vocationers’ Retreat, Discerning God’s Call is a weekend welcoming all seekers in the Diocese of Kansas created to support their response to God with their lives. Hosted by the Commission on Ministry and led by the Canon for Spiritual Life and Clergy Care, the Vocationers’ Retreat is strongly recommended for those exploring ordained ministry and for others who are interested in exploring more formal lay ministry.
The retreat will use techniques in the Christian art of discernment so that each participant is personally invited to reflect with God in community. There will be time for large group learning, small group sharing, and personal time of guided reflection. Content will include exploration of various expressions of professional vocations, learning about Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, and the official ordination process in the Diocese of Kansas.
When: Friday, August 23 at 6 pm to Sunday, August 27 at 11:30 am.
Where: Upton Hall at Grace Cathedral, Topeka - 835 SW Polk
Cost: $40
Registration: Register online
Overnight accommodations are available at Upton Hall on the diocesan property or area hotels.
Upton Hall has 8 bedrooms with private and semi-private room options offering twin beds and 5 full shared bathrooms. Linens and towels are provided. Depending upon the number of registrations you may have a private room or you may share a room. Cost is $40/person.
Some Topeka hotel options:
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The Cyrus Hotel is a Marriott branded hotel, located downtown with contemporary styled rooms. $146-$209/night depending on availability. 920 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612, 785-596-0500
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Ramada Inn, $91/night, 420 Southeast 6th Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66607, 785-380-8042
Participants who choose to stay in a hotel are responsible to make their own reservations. Contact the Diocese of Kansas to inquire about potential discounts.
Meals and snacks will be provided at Upton Hall throughout the retreat.
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Nominees for the 28th Presiding Bishop | Committee members began working together in the fall of 2021. View the list of committee members. They surveyed the church in May 2022 about the skills, qualities, and gifts most desired in its next presiding bishop, considering what the church and the world may look like in the next decade. | | | | | | |
