RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 18 July 1998 Number 8
From the Pastor
If there is one thing we have learned from the CHOICES
video series during July, it is this: our vision statement needs to be lifted up, talked
about, made visible, so that it becomes widely shared by all the members of Reformation.
It needs to become felt in the heart and known by the mind.
Our Vision Statement was created with the participation of
many Reformation members in the fall of 1996 and adopted formally at the January 1997
Congregation Meeting. So what is it? Could you have said it and known something about it
without having looked at the bold print that follows?
Our Vision Statement reads:
Servants of God
Guided by the Holy Spirit
To Make Christ Known
Within that statement are truths about our life together in
worship, witness, service, fellowship, and nurture. The vision statement
reminds us that when the servants of God gather around Word and Sacrament, the Holy Spirit
is at work making Christ known. This is the central concern of the Church, namely, that we
who are gathered be pointed to God's promises offered through the crucified and risen
Christ. The vision statement also reminds us that the Church exists for the sake of the
world. Reformation Lutheran Church is called to make Christ known in word and deed. We do
that as individuals who live out our baptismal identity in the world and as a congregation
which seeks to make Christ known in the community.
In the weeks and months ahead we'll be preparing to lift up
our vision in many and varied ways. Through sermon, bulletin insert, banner, and
newsletter we will write the vision upon our hearts and imprint it upon our souls. We will
speak it so each person may find a way to connect to these words and make them his or her
own. "Without vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
Since June, a group of us has met four times to plan for
the fall start-up of LOGOS. A part of each of those meetings was spent in the call
process.
On June 10 we embarked on this adventure, with me as the
captain-a captain who had never been to sea before, but who knew just a little about it.
The curious crew was willing to travel with me. Fortunately, I was just holding the wheel;
God was directing the path. At the first meeting we spent much time meditating on God's
word and in prayer.
When we gathered together the second time, we shared the
names of people that we individually had compiled. The list consisted of 33 names. We
prayed for those people and then took the list home and continued to pray over the next
two weeks. The journey became more interesting when we next met and started putting names
to the 10 open LOGOS positions. We looked at what each position required and the gifts of
people in the congregation. For some positions we had two names, for a few--no names; but
for most we had only one name. This list became our prayer target.
Two weeks later we came together for an exciting trip into
the unknown. We talked about each position and the person(s) we had listed previously. A
few new names were offered. We disagreed sometimes but talked it out so that when we were
done, we could agree on the 10 people we were going to call. Then we departed to issue the
calls.
Each of us is to phone our person and arrange a time to
visit about LOGOS, the call process, and the position to which they are being called.
During the visit, the person being called is asked to spend a week or so in prayer to
discern whether God is calling him/her to serve in this area. A follow-up phone call will
establish who is able to answer Yes to this call to serve in LOGOS. On August 10,
two months after beginning this journey, we will review how God has worked in us and in
the congregation through this call process.
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Thank You!
Thank you for the cards and prayers at the time of Sean's
recent surgery.
- Patty & Sean Taylor
* * *
Many thanks for your prayers, cards, calls, and visits
following my recent surgery.
- Michele Groves
* * *
Thank you so very much for your cards, calls, visits and,
of course, your prayers. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and has helped me through
rough times. God bless you all.
- Faye Peters
* * *
We want to thank our friends at Reformation for the kind
words of sympathy, the cards, and your prayers upon the death of my sister. It was such a
comfort.
- Dorla & Les Alseike
Dr. John Leavitt
As announced to the congregation in a July 10 letter, Dr.
John Leavitt will be installed as Cantor of Reformation Lutheran Church in worship on
August 23.
Cantor is the historical term among Lutherans for the
leader of the people's song. Dr. Leavitt will lead our congregation's song of praise as
organist and director of the Adult and Bell Choirs. He also will plan and oversee the
entire music program of Reformation.
Dr. Leavitt has been serving as the Parish Musician at
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wichita. He is known by many in our community as the Managing
Director and Conductor of the Master Arts Adult and Children's Community Choruses. He is
widely known for his choral, organ, and handbell publications. Recently he was a Guest
Conductor at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Most importantly, he brings with his gifts a desire to
serve Christ's Church in the worship of Almighty God. We look forward to warmly welcoming
Dr. Leavitt and his family on Sunday, August 23.
The Parish Record
APRIL - JUNE
BAPTISM
- Benjamin Lawrence Rude, May 3
- Natalie Faith Kloth, (Public Recognition) May 17
MARRIAGE
- Christa Mansholt and Manuel Choy, April 18
TRANSFER
- Kevin & Susan Gross, Diana, Andrea to Bethany Lutheran,
Englewood, Colorado
- John & Sue Brack to Bella Vista Lutheran, Bella Vista,
Arkansas
New Members
On Sunday, July 12, the Reformation congregation welcomed
25 new members:
Tim Allbritten 744-0369
P.O. Box 474, Kechi 67067
Chris & Juanita Freed 541-2515
P.O. Box 352, Towanda 67144
Mary Gibson 683-4774
2200 S. Rock Rd., Wichita 67207
Dick & Marlene Hasselwander 630-0673
8606 Mulberry, Wichita 67226
Ken Hobart & Marcia Werts 262-1235
Matthew
823 N. Perry, Wichita 67203
Mike & Carole Lofing 687-4680
Stephen, Lauren, Spencer
12410 Meadow Ln., Wichita 67206
Janice Radle 682-0211
Zach & Danni Bradley
7228 Bainbridge Ct., Wichita 67226
Derek Rindt 755-1793
P.O. Box 291, Valley Center 67147
Craig & Debra Stuewe 683-3758
9606 E. Bayley, Wichita 67207
Todd & Stacy Svihovec 733-1619
Tevin, Tristen
220 Bent Tree Ct., Andover 67002
Women of Reformation
NO CIRCLE MEETINGS IN AUGUST
The "Bring Back the Joy" Conference will
be held August 7 & 8 at the Kansas Coliseum. Times are 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday,
and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Early registration fee is $49; at the door
registration is $69 (if seating is available). Additional information is available on
the bulletin board in Parish Hall.
THANKOFFERINGS HELP SUPPORT WOMEN
AND CHILDREN IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Sister Violet Stang has lived and worked in Papua New
Guinea since 1958. Here she provides skills development and leadership training for women
in the Yabim district of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea. Violet
serves as a resource person in the various income-generating projects of the women's work
department. She also helps develop curriculum for grassroots women's biblical and
practical education projects.
In her nearly 40 years in Papua New Guinea, Violet also has
raised several Papua New Guinean orphaned children. Please pray for Sister Violet and her
foster children, and continue to share your Thankofferings for ministries like Violet's
that are supported through the Division of Global Mission.
Best Time of Life
There will be no BTOL meeting in August. This is a vacation
month for everyone! Regular monthly meetings will resume on Monday, September 14.
High School Youth Activities
August 8 - Trip to Oklahoma City for the day.
Leave at 7:45 a.m. from the church and return at 11:00 p.m. Cost: $10. Kathy Wegner is the
contact person.
August 30 - Meeting at church, 3:00--6:00
p.m.
GARAGE SALE PLANNED FOR THIS FALL
The senior high youth will be having their 2nd Annual
Garage Sale on Saturday, October 3. Donations of items for the sale will be
accepted in late September. Your support will be greatly appreciated!
From the Seminary . . .
This summer I am a chaplain at Seton Medical Center in
Austin. Seton is a Catholic hospital with a strong commitment to see Christ in the face of
each patient. To that end, no patient or family member faces death alone. A Christian
chaplain is present at the bedside of each dying patient.
According to current studies, 80 percent of deaths occur in
hospitals, and 40 percent of the American population profess no denominational preference.
Dying in this country is largely a secular matter. While nearly half of the population
claim to believe in a higher power and acknowledge the value of trying to do the right
thing, their theology often ends there. This may be enough for them ordinarily, but at the
time of death--their own or a loved one, an often fierce tension between Christian ideas
and secular, rational beliefs develops.
Suddenly ideas that were not particularly important,
including baptism, church attendance, the state of the soul and afterlife, demand urgent
attention. A patient on the way to surgery wants to be baptized. A family member
apologizes for irregular church attendance and is embarrassed at not having a minister to
call. Another confesses that he believes in God and always tried to do right; now he
wonders about his soul. According to Tony Walter in his article,
"Secularization," Clergy visiting the dying or bereaved cannot presume to
know what people believe; pastoral care becomes the task of enabling the person to
articulate or discover what they [sic] believe (186).
Walter's statement is correct, but the term clergy is
misleading. If we take our baptismal call seriously, we are all clergy, able to assume a
pastoral care role. No doubt many of you have heard unsettling questions from a friend who
was dying or had lost a loved one. Every dying patient I have visited has expressed
concern about how his or her faith has been lived and what happens after death. Instead of
not knowing what to say, each of us can help our friends understand their feelings about
God.
Where do we begin? That depends on you and your friend.
Most people are comfortable with Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer. Both carry words of
comfort and reassurance of God's love. When we offer our pastoral care, we begin to help
our friends discover (or rediscover) their faith. A clerical collar or theological study
is not required to be a chaplain--just a positive response to your baptismal call.
Welcome, chaplain.
God's peace be with you. - Dawn Gorges
"Friends of the Carpenter"
The Area 5 Lutheran churches have joined with Habitat for
Humanity to construct a house in Wichita. The actual construction of the house will take
place in blitz fashion with pouring of the basement in advance and the interior trim to be
completed later. We need volunteers to assist with the construction of this house, located
in the 2300 block of North Burns, on Wednesday through Saturday, September 23-26. No
experience is required. Just come and be a part of this exciting project. Please complete
the enclosed sign-up sheet and turn it in to the church office. If you have
questions, call Jerry Whetstone at 681-2007.
At least $21,000 needs to be raised from the 15 ELCA
congregations of Area Ministry 5. You can contribute directly through Reformation Church
by marking your checks, "Friends of the Carpenter."
From Stewardship
A hearty thank you to everyone who participated in the Time
and Abilities Sunday event in June. The displays were wonderful and informative, the
coffee was excellent (as usual), and the fellowship warm and fruitful. Thanks again to all
for sharing their spiritual gifts.
Stewardship would also like to recognize and thank Pastor,
Deaconess Doreen, Barb Lee, and Lotus Gerards for attending the "Evangelism in
Post-Modern America" conference/workshop at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita this
past month.
Comments on the workshop:
Barb: "Thank you for the opportunity to attend this
inspirational conference. The key focus on effective evangelism stressed the importance of
being a truly welcoming congregation, sharing and growing in our faith, and reaching out
to our community. This event was very informative and motivational."
Lotus: "Attending the Heartlands Conference was a
meaningful experience for me because of the emphasis placed on allowing members to use
their unique abilities to enter ministries where they can truly have an impact. To quote
Pastor Marta Poling-Goldene, 'We should root our plans in prayer and grow, not just
wide--but deep.' Those of us attending were inspired by the wealth of constructive ideas
presented."
VBS REMINDER:
Sunday, August 9 - Thursday, August 13
6:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Space Mission for Adults
VBS is not just for children! We will have a class for
adults in the Library/Conference Room from 6:55 to 8:10 p.m. on Sunday, August 9,
through Thursday, August 13.
We will follow the same Scripture-based themes as the
children: Ephesians 4:32--Be kind and forgiving; Psalm 107:1--Give thanks; Galatians
5:13b--Serve one another; Acts 16:31b--Believe and be saved; and Proverbs
3:5--Trust in the Lord.
All adults are welcome to also attend the Sing & Play
Blast-Off each day (6:30-6:50) and the Send-Off (8:15-8:30) in the Parish Hall. The
kick-off dinner will begin on Sunday, August 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Space Mission Dinner
Sunday, August 9, 5:30 p.m. Free-will donation will
be matched by AAL to help support "Friends of the
Carpenter"
Area Ministry 5's
Habitat for Humanity Project
Usher Schedule
The following are scheduled to serve at the 11:00 worship
service during the month of August: David Day, Ben Langel, Mike Metz, Fred
Hambright, Mark Metz, Jan Moyer, and Ken Woodard.
Community Outreach
During the month of August, the Community Outreach
Committee (formerly Social Outreach) will be collecting school supplies and school
uniforms that are in "good condition" for area food banks. Please leave your
donations in the container in the narthex of the church.
Report on Synod Assembly
TO: The Congregation
FROM: Synod Assembly Delegates
Kristin Blomquist, Raymond Shinn, Karen Vlamis, and Ted
Vlamis
DATE: July 1, 1998
The 1998 Synod Assembly was an exciting and inspiring
experience, and we thank you for allowing us to represent Reformation.
Every day was begun and ended with an inspiring worship
service.
- Thursday, June 11, things kicked off with a focus on the
Global Mission Team's visit to Papua New Guinea. The Youth Convo performed a skit called
"The Cross--Hope for the World" during worship.
- Friday, June 12, worship followed a Jazz format.
- Sunday, June 14, President Chris Thomforde of Bethany
College preached a particularly inspiring sermon.
- Saturday and Sunday Bible study was led by Dr. Sarah
Henrichs of Luther Seminary. Highlights of the study should be available on the synod
website.
Friday, June 12, we explored the future of our synod in
"open space" conversation around the theme of our "Seven Initiatives for a
New Century." All delegates broke off into discussions on subjects on which they were
passionate and from which over 80 reports were developed. Copies of the reports are
available in the church office.
The better part of Saturday and some of Sunday was spent
voting on resolutions and budget. Fourteen resolutions were brought forward, including
four resolutions dealing with gay and lesbian persons in public ministry. Discussion on
this potentially explosive issue was well managed by the Assembly going into a committee
of the whole. The budget was passed.
Passing time with fellow Assembly-goers over meals, walking
across campus, in discussion groups, at Stuga, and standing in lines offered many
opportunities to meet other delegates. It's always exciting to rediscover that we're
working side by side with others "making Christ known."
It was a pleasure to serve as a delegate for Reformation. A
notebook has been assembled and is available in the church office if you are interested in
more detailed information on the assembly.
Respectfully,
Karen Vlamis
