RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 18 January 1998 Number 1
From the Pastor
The Roman god Janus, for whom January is named, was two-headed,
looking both backward and forward in time. As we enter the new year we look back in
thanksgiving and forward with hope.
The year 1997 continued our first year in the new church. We
celebrated our first Easter here. That first year in this new building was the occasion
for many firsts--wedding, baptism, funeral, etc. In January of 1997 we began Logos, our
midweek school. As I see relationships being built and children studying the Scriptures, I
give thanks for the many adults who make this ministry possible. In June, Deaconess Doreen
Leptien joined the staff of Reformation. She has brought wonderful gifts for ministry with
our children, youth, and families.
One from our congregation, Dawn Gorges, began studying for pastoral
ministry; another, Amy Ryding, volunteered for service in Hungary through the Division of
Global Mission.
December 31 concludes a very successful 3-year capital fund
campaign. The good news is the goals of the campaign were reached, even exceeded. The
other news is we still have a mortgage of over a million dollars. I invite and encourage
you to attend the January 11 Informational Meeting to learn more about our financial
picture.
I know that in many and various ways in 1997 our Vision Statement
was lived out. As we look to 1998, that vision continues to compel us in mission. A major
stewardship effort is planned for February 14-23. A Task Force on Effective Church
Structure will address our committee structure. ChristCare Group Ministry will begin with
the commissioning of our first group of leaders. One-to-one caring ministry continues as
we commission the third class of Stephen Ministers. And thus we rejoice and ". . .
with thanks embrace another year of grace." (LBW, #181)
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
When I was young my mom would gather us together, and we would have
a brief time of family devotions each night. Last month I spent a week with my sister Deb
and her family in Alabama. Just before bedtime the family gathered in the living room for
a time to read and study God's Word together.
What happens in my sister's family and my vague memory of family
devotions as a child are very different, yet related. My sister learned that it was
important for families to set aside a time each day to "devote" to God and his
Word. That foundation helps Deb and her husband Monte to gather their family into God's
presence during the week to read God's Word, talk about what it means and how it relates
to their lives, and pray for their family and friends. Unlike the family devotions of my
memory, my nieces and nephew are not passive listeners but active participants. Deb and
Monte set the example of sharing their faith and studying God's Word but open it up so
that their adolescent and teenagers can tell their faith stories, too
Having family devotions takes a commitment and practice. Some people
are uncomfortable with trying to do devotions, some haven't thought about it at all, and
others are just too tired doing everything else so that trying to fit in devotions would
just add one more stress.
If your family would like to start its own devotion time, check out
these two resources. Augsburg Fortress publishes The Home Altar, a devotion booklet
for families of elementary-aged children. They are available in the narthex each quarter.
A set of Faith Talk cards is in the library. Questions about your memories and
experiences provide family members a chance to share their stories.
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not
stray. Proverbs 22:6
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Thank You!
A big THANK YOU to all the wonderful and thoughtful members of
Reformation for their flowers, gifts, cards, food, visits, and most of all for their
prayers during and after surgery. A special thanks to Barbara Lee as my Parish Nurse and
to Pastor Mansholt for his visits and prayers. All of these things gave me a "warm
fuzzy and loving" feeling and made me realize how fortunate I am to be a member of
Reformation.
- Pauline Latham
Stephen Ministry
What happens when you ask for a Stephen Minister for yourself or a
friend? Someone will contact you to talk more about Stephen Ministry and what it can mean
to you. Then, you will be matched with a Stephen Minister, who will listen and support you
through the tough times. The whole process is strictly confidential; no one knows what you
talk about except you and your Stephen Minister. To find out more about the Stephen
Ministry program or to request the care of a Stephen Minister, call Pastor Mansholt at the
church office or contact a Stephen Leader. (Remember to ask for permission before
reporting someone else's need)
* * *
When I began service as a Stephen Minister, I thought of the
experience as an opportunity to help someone else in times of stress or crisis. It
certainly has been that. But perhaps the greatest impact the program has had on me is to
bring me closer to God through prayer and meditation. I feel so enriched spiritually.
- Dallas Cronk, Stephen Minister
It's amazing how "little things" like visiting someone
once a week can be so meaningful to them and help both of you grow in faith in God. It is
truly God working a miracle through the Stephen Minister.
- Marsha Meili, Stephen Minister
Annual Meeting
All confirmed members of Reformation are expected to attend the
Annual Meeting, January 25 at 12:30 p.m. Following the 11:00 a.m. worship, a luncheon will
be provided by the high school youth. The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Informational Meeting
On January 11, 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall, an Informational
Meeting will be held. John Lee will present an overview of the three-year building
campaign. Jeff Larma will provide financial data on the year past as well as the budget
for 1998. We are also pleased that Mr. Stan Rose, Director of the ELCA Resident
Stewardship Service, will be with us that day. Mr. Rose will be directing our stewardship
program February 14-23.
New Members Received
On November 9, the Reformation congregation welcomed 31 new members:
Jason & Mary Berg 687-3422
3737 N. Rushwood, #1202, Wichita 67226
Craig & Marilyn Boehning 733-8516
1523 Creekside Ln., Wichita 67230
Helen Bridges 634-1789
E-Mail:
Dan & Lori East 832-9243
928 W. 33rd St. N., Wichita 67204
Richard & Leslie English 775-7603
David, Alan, Eric, Austin
2400 Mainsgate Dr., Augusta 67010
Linda and Jenna Godwin 689-8863
8220 E. Oxford Cir., #10104, Wichita 67226
Dave & Tami Hayen 682-9140
Samantha, Erich
2805 Westover Dr., Wichita 67210
Robert Leake 681-2763
203 N. Fountain, Wichita 67208
Jeremy & Denise McDonald 652-7947
Victoria
1020 N. Brookfield, Wichita 67206
Kurt & Lynda Schlender 838-1913
Andrea, Krista, Rebekah
1043 W. 31st St. N., Wichita 67204
Duane & Dorothy Sondergard 744-1038
4800 N. Battin, Wichita 67220
Korey Torgerson 688-5090
2219 Longwood Cir., Wichita 67226
Women of Reformation Meeting
January 5, 1998
7:00 p.m. - Parish Hall
Pastor Mansholt will present an overview of the Bible Study we will
be using in 1998 in the circles, and your officers will be installed. Plan to attend to
show support for the women about to take office and to better understand "Luke's
Vision: The People of God." Ask someone who doesn't drive at night to come with you.
You are promised an evening of spiritual growth and fellowship.
This is a perfect time to start attending a circle. January is the
first month of the year-long Bible Study of the Gospel of Luke. Each circle is named for a
woman of the Bible. Choose the circle that best fits your busy schedule. You will be well
rewarded with meaningful friendships and a spiritual awareness when you attend.
January 5 9:00 a.m. Blanket Makers
January 5 7:00 p.m. General Meeting
January 8 7:00 p.m. Rachel Circle*
January 12 1:45 p.m. Women's Board
January 12 3:00 p.m. Book Ladies
January 13 9:30 a.m. Priscilla Circle
January 13 1:00 p.m. Stitchers
January 15 7:00 p.m. Ruth Circle
January 16 7:00 p.m. Bunco
January 19 9:00 a.m. Blanket Makers
January 19 7:00 p.m. Sarah Circle at Loretta Seitz'
8306 E. Gilbert St.
January 21 1:00 p.m. Dorcas Circle at Lotus Gerards'
7809 E. Gilbert St.
* Nursery available
(All activities meet at church unless otherwise noted)
Paper Goods for the Food Bank
Social Outreach Committee requests contributions of paper goods for
the food bank during January. Please leave items in the container in the narthex.
Chili Supper / Basketball
The WSU Shocker Basketball team will play Bradley (a conference
game) on Sunday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. All Reformation members who plan to
attend this game are invited to a chili supper at church immediately following the
game. Join us for food, fun, and festivities, and help support our Shockers!! In fact, we
may have some surprise guests! Reservations are necessary--please call Lotus Gerards,
683-8602, or Carol Ott, 683-5482, by January 8. (To help cover costs, we will ask each adult
to pay $2.00.)
Middle School Youth Activities
Registration forms are due by January 2 for both the Lutheran
Encounter Youth Quake event, February 6-8, and the Synod Leadership Training Event,
January 16-18. If you have not requested a registration form yet, see Deaconess Doreen.
All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are invited to get together on Friday,
January 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall for games, fellowship, and planning.
Bring a snack to share. Friends are welcome!
Best Time of Life
The New Year for B.T.O.L. will begin on Monday, January 12, with its
regular potluck luncheon at 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall. We'll play BINGO--so bring with
you a gift-wrapped white elephant to add to the table of prizes for winners. All senior
adults are invited to attend. Please come join us for this friendly get-together--and let
us hope for good weather!
Social Outreach Needs Members
The Social Outreach Committee has a mission "to extend
compassion and help to people in need." Unfortunately, the committee is lacking
members to pursue this mission.
Would you be interested in investing a couple hours a month by
joining our committee? If so, please call Virginia Leikvold at 685-7993.
From the Seminary . . .
Dear Friends,
My first summer and full semester of seminary studies are behind me.
In January I begin a three-week session on Hispanic culture and language. In February the
spring semester begins. My work here is to fulfill the agenda of the seminary in order
that as a pastor I will fulfill the agenda of the congregation I serve.
What do you, personally, seek in a pastor? The answers are as varied
as those answering the question; and while no one can be all things to all people, the
seminaries attempt to prepare extremely well-rounded individuals to assume the roll of
pastor. The ELCA has "11 Imperatives" to develop ministers. The first five
follow. The ELCA Task Force on Theological Education seek to develop pastors who have:
- Deep faith rooted in the Scripture and a Lutheran understanding of
the gospel, sustained by a disciplined devotional life.
- The skills needed to share the faith with those who don't have it and
to train others to share the faith.
- Practical congregational skills in preaching, teaching, stewardship,
evangelism, and administration.
- Knowledge of cultures of those they serve and the ability to adapt
their ministry to their situation.
- The ability to help church members connect their faith with daily
life and relationships.
Prior to entering the seminary, a student must have a bachelor's
degree, preferably in the liberal arts. The individual who seeks ordination is reviewed by
committees before, during, and after seminary. The four-year seminary commitment includes
studies in Greek, history, pastoral counseling, Biblical studies, exegesis, hermeneutics,
preaching and theology. There is also a 400-hour chaplaincy and a one-year internship. The
result is a master's degree in divinity, and after endorsement from the committee, the
student is open for call. Ordination follows the first call.
It's a rigorous agenda, in recognition that your personal agenda for
a pastor is a serious one. The ELCA, its seminaries and students are working diligently to
understand and fulfill your agenda.
In His Peace, Dawn Gorges
ChristCare Groups Want you!
Our ChristCare Ministry is ready to begin active group member
recruiting now! ChristCare Leaders have been through 40+ hours of training and are excited
and ready to form their groups. ChristCare Leaders will be commissioned on Sunday, January
18, and will be ready to start meeting shortly after that. We need interested parties to
sign up for group membership during the month of January. Small Group Interest Cards will
be included as bulletin inserts on Sunday, January 4.
Have you ever felt that you need more time to "connect"
with other Christians than the hour or two available on Sunday mornings? Do the struggles
of daily life limit the time you take to nurture your relationship with Christ? ChristCare
Small Group Ministry is built on the need that we all have, to grow in our relationship
with Christ and the "community" that we need to have with other Christians. The
ChristCare Group process encourages relationship building in a very dynamic and fulfilling
way.
Please prayerfully consider your opportunity to participate in this
new ministry. You will not be disappointed!
Task Force To Meet
The Task Force on Effective Church Structure will begin meeting in
January. Michele Groves will chair the Task Force. Others include Ron Ott, Tom Pletcher,
Susan Cherches, Scott Jensen, and Sondra Langel. Pastor Mansholt is an advisory member. As
reported last month, the task force has been established ". . . to develop a
congregational structure that will enable Reformation Lutheran Church to faithfully live
out its mission as servants of God empowered by the Holy Spirit to make Christ
known."
Area Ministry 5 Annual Assembly
The 13 congregations of Area Ministry 5 will meet January 11, 4:00
p.m., at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Bishop Maahs will be present to speak about the new
roles for Area Ministries. Delegates from each of the 13 congregations, clergy, and
associates in ministry are to be present as well as other interested people.
Children May Still Enroll For 2nd Semester LOGOS
A new LOGOS semester will begin January 7, 1998. Children and youth
(through high school) are encouraged to enroll in this program of spiritual education and
development. Young people who are already enrolled for the entire year need only to
continue attending LOGOS each Wednesday evening from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. No additional
sign-up is necessary. But if the children in your family have not been participating in
the program, now is the time to get them involved.
To enroll a child, contact Michele Groves, LOGOS Registrar, at
634-0553. There is a fee of $45 per child per semester, which covers the cost of meals and
materials. Scholarship assistance is available.
LOGOS meets most Wednesday evenings, beginning at 4:45, and includes
organized time for play, worship, fellowship meal, and Bible study.
"It's So Embarrassing"
You know how young people feel when they think they are too old to
be part of the children's Christmas program--it's so embarrassing!! That's the
theme of the worship drama at both services on Sunday, January 4. The high school youth
will lead this worship in drama, reading, and song as they present the Christmas Gospel.
Epiphany Worship - January 6
Advent, Christmas, and then Epiphany. Tuesday, January 6, is the
Feast of Epiphany. With children processing with stars and singing a setting of the Gloria,
we will gather at 7:00 p.m. to pray and sing. We will gather as the Magi of old to bring
gifts to the King, born in Bethlehem. Following worship, King's Cake in the Parish Hall!
Pastor's Class -- Luke
The very positive response to the Bible Basics course in December
has led to a continued study on Luke's Gospel in January. Want to get in on some basic
Bible study? Here is your chance--with Luke's Gospel. We will begin using those Bible
basics in this study.
LOGOS T-Shirts Are Available
Children or adults who would like to show their involvement in the
LOGOS program may purchase a T-shirt decorated with the LOGOS emblem. The shirts are white
with the word LOGOS repeated in a variety of colors across the front.
The shirts cost $7 for all child and adult sizes, except adult XXL,
which costs $8. There is also a shipping and handling charge of 50 cents. Child sizes are
small, medium, and large. Adult sizes are small, medium, large, extra large, and XXL.
To order your shirt(s), please use the form that is available on the
front desk in the church office.
Paul Manz Hymn Festival
Mark your calendars for February 8, 3:00 p.m. Paul Manz, Christ
Seminary-Seminex Professor of Church Music and Artist in Residence at Lutheran School of
Theology in Chicago, will be at the organ console at Reformation Lutheran Church for a
Hymn Festival. The Hymn Festival is sponsored by Reformation Lutheran Church in
partnership with the ELCA congregations of Area Ministry 5.
Position Available
An important part-time position called Resource Coordinator for
Area Ministry 5 is open. This lay or clergy person needs an interest and commitment to
growth and opportunities for leaders and congregations, networking, computer access, time,
organizational and communication skills. The Synod will employ the Coordinator at a
stipend of $10 per hour for 10 hours a month. Training and ongoing consultation by the
Synod's Resource Coordinator will be provided. The Coordinator's primary responsibility
will be working with the Area Ministry 5 Executive Committee and Assembly to identify
program priorities, identify and communicate appropriate resources for the Area Ministry
and congregations, and coordinate Area Ministry program delivery and mission activities.
Applications are available from Pastor Sally Fahrenthold, Area Dean, 744-1242. For more
information, call Pr. Fahrenthold or Pr. Mansholt.
