RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 21 February 2001 Number 2
From the Pastor
First Communion.
How old were you when you received Holy Communion for the first
time? Were you in the 8th grade and a member of a Lutheran congregation as was the case
for me? Fifth grade in the Lutheran church and probably born sometime after 1970? Third
grade in a Methodist congregation? Six years old in a Roman Catholic Church? What should
be the age for children to receive their First Communion here at Reformation?
That question arises more frequently these days. It happens when a 6
year old from a neighboring church comes to the Lord’s Table at Reformation. Because
we are hospitable in our Communion policy, we welcome the young visitor--even while our
own 6 or 7 or 8 year old raises his or her eyebrows. I ask myself the question when one of
our own children, not out of simple curiosity or mischievousness, but with sincerity and
trust, puts forth the hand in faith to receive the bread of God.
In the 1997 statement, The Use of the Means of Grace, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America states the principle: Admission to the
Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are
baptized. The statement goes on to point out there is no command from our Lord
regarding the age at which people should be baptized or first communed. Congregations
are asked to check their own practices and statements against biblical and confessional
guides.
A Task Force on First Communion Policy has been appointed by the
Church Council. They have begun meeting and studying those issues related to admission to
the Table of the Lord. Members of the Task Force are Laurel Davis (chair), Doug Vandersee,
Brenda Laflin, Holly Coleman, Denise Peer, Ken Hobart and me. We are studying the Means of
Grace statement, as well as viewing and discussing the helpful video commentary on the
statement, These Things Matter, produced by the ELCA.
I am certain this group will have things to share and will want your
input as we review our practices for welcoming young people to the Table of our Lord.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
Now that I have reached the grand age of 40, I can look back
at my teen years and early 20's with humor and sympathy. One question dominated that time
in my life: Who am I? It was such a relief when I realized in my 30's that I was no
longer asking that question with such frequency or angst.
This question, Who am I? is part of a natural identity
formation, which is a critical task of adolescence. The Positive Identity Assets
focus on how young people view themselves. The positive identity assets are three P’s
and an S: power, purpose, promise, and self-esteem. In order to grow up healthy, our teens
need to know that they have some control over their lives; that they count; and that they
have a future. These three factors can contribute to a person’s healthy self-esteem.
The teens I work with today seem more self-assured, more focused
than I ever was. But I would guess that they, too, ask themselves that all important
question? Who am I? You can help foster in the youths you encounter, these positive
identity assets. Just remember your P’s and S!
Here are some ways you can help:
Pay attention to the young people in this congregation. Notice and
celebrate their accomplishments.
Avoid pessimistic attitudes about the future or about the ability to
bring about positive change in the community, nation, and world.
Get involved in activities that work for a more hopeful future for
children and youth.
Challenge media portrayals of youth that show them most often in
negative terms.
Give children freedom to make their own choices (as is appropriate)
so that they feel they have some control over their own life.
- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
Dear Reformation Friends,
Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, notes, and verbal
expressions of sympathy and care following the recent death of my mother. Your kindness is
greatly appreciated. You are God’s people, and it is apparent in all that you do!
- Becky Deckard, Office Secretary
* * *
Dear Parishioners of Reformation L.C.,
Once again we want to thank you for your generous support of the
children of Lutheran Social Service. As a congregation you provided gifts for over 80
children. Reformation is always one of the first churches to contact us and ask how they
can help the children we serve at Christmas. You have touched many lives with your
generosity and we graciously thank you for this.
These children, through no fault of their own, are in foster care
due to physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, and/or neglect.
Over 500 children were given Christmas gifts throughout the LSS
programs this year. All of the children who are in foster care and those waiting for a
permanent adoptive home were served.
Thank you again for your generosity and support.
Sincerely,
Larry D. Prothro
Director of Marketing and Recruitment
Lutheran Social Service
* * *
The Parish Record
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
BAPTISM
- Evan William Brammer, October 22
- Mitchell Bartlett King, October 22
- Addison Lynn Rose, November 5
- Lauren Elizabeth Stevens, November 5
- Nicholas John Flores, December 17
MARRIAGE
- Mary Rohleder and Jeffrey Boddiger, November 4
- Beth Kreeger and Eric Ericson, December 16
TRANSFER
- Jim & Elizabeth Sherwood, Brady, to Gloria Dei Lutheran,
Wichita
- Jo Schmidt, to East Evangelical Free, Wichita
- Tom & Staci Haeberle, Gannon Scudder, Amanda Haeberle, to Bethel
Lutheran, Windsor, CO
- Donald & Cynthia Hansen, Wyatt, Russell, to Preston Meadow
Lutheran, Plano, TX
- Jessica Brockmeier, to Living Word Lutheran, Grapevine, TX
- Joshua Koch, to Aldersgate United Methodist, Wichita
- Robert & Terri Cusick, Alexa, Taylor, to Eastminster
Presbyterian, Wichita
- William & Sandy Hill, to Good Shepherd Episcopal, Wichita
- Jim & Joanne Dumler, Lauren, Maxwell, to Abiding Hope Lutheran,
Littleton, CO
DEATH
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
- Ruth - Thursday, February 8, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Leona
Synstegard, 9234 E. Funston Ct.
- Priscilla - Tuesday February 13, 9:30 a.m. at the church
- Sarah - Monday, February 19, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Vera Bentson,
1655 Georgetown, #333
- Dorcas - Wednesday, February 21, 1:00 p.m. at the home of Janice
Barr, 6950 Kentford Cir.
- Rachel - Wednesday, February 21, 6:30 p.m. at the church, Nursery
available
A WELCA Board Meeting is set for Monday, February 5,
1:00 p.m., at the church. All officers and circle leaders are encouraged to attend.
Blanket Makers will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:00 a.m. on
Mondays, February 5 & 19.
The Monday morning Play Group meets in the nursery on February
12 & 26 at 9:30 a.m. Moms make friends with Moms, and toddlers make friends with
toddlers. Playtime is supervised by the moms.
Church Women United of Wichita will meet at 1:00 p.m. on
Friday, February 2. Please check the notice on the WELCA bulletin board for the
meeting place.
Join us for Women’s Night Out on Tuesday, February 27,
at 6:30 p.m. We’ll be meeting at the Red Bean’s Bayou Grill, 7088 E. Kellogg.
Sign up on the nursery door or call Kimberly Lindemann, 691-1440
BTOL - St. Valentine’s Day February 14
Come and join us! Best Times of Life is a
fellowship group for those 55 and over meeting monthly for lunch, programs, good company,
and a great time.
Monday, February 12, at noon, we will gather in Parish
Hall to enjoy our potluck luncheon and a program titled "Birdwatching and Game
Viewing in Zimbabwe" presented by Freemont and Sarah Regier of Newton. We would love
to have you as part of the group! Bring a covered dish to share, your own table
service, and call Pauline, 942-4885, or Betty, 682-2030, with your reservation.
90th Birthday Celebration
The congregation is invited to help celebrate the 90th
birthday of Vera Bentson. An Open House in honor of this occasion will be held on
Saturday, February 17, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Georgetown Village, 1655
S. Georgetown, Wichita.
No gifts, please.
Chili Supper / WSU Basketball
Reformation members (and friends) who enjoy WSU Basketball
(women’s or men’s) are invited to our annual R.L.C./W.S.U. B.B. Chili Supper on
Saturday, February 24, at 4:45 p.m. in Parish Hall. We’ll begin with
snacks and some entertaining activities and finish in time for those holding tickets to
the 7:05 p.m. game against Bradley to make tip-off. Reservations are necessary, so
please call Lotus Gerards at 683-8602, Carol Ott at 683-5482 or Eva Whetstone at 681-2007
by February 21. (To help cover costs, we ask that each adult pay $2.00) Hope to hear from you!
AAL- Sponsored Gathering
Are you looking for a way to meet people at Reformation? Do
you have a policy with Aid Associations for Lutherans? Would you like to go out to dinner
with some fun folks from the church?
AAL is sponsoring a dinner night out on Sunday, February 11
at Stroud’s Restaurant (3662 N. Hillside) at 5:00 p.m. Each participant will be
responsible for their own meal, but it gives us an opportunity to enjoy each other’s
company. You do not need to be an AAL member to join in the fun!
Nurturing Faith In the Home
A father was pushing two little girls on swings across the
street from a church. As one pointed out the cross on the top of the church, she said,
"Daddy, why does Jesus have to keep dying on the cross every year?" The father
honored her comment as he gently explained how God’s people gather to understand and
appreciate what Jesus did so long ago.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 28. These 40
days (not including Sundays) provide a perfect opportunity to help our children understand
and appreciate Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and to give
us eternal life. Following are some ideas for your family this Lenten season.
- Put a budding branch in water and watch it come to life. Talk about
the cycle of life as a miracle God provides.
- Arrange six purple candles in the shape of a cross to observe the six
weeks of Lent. Extinguish one candle a week to symbolize Good Friday’s approach.
Relight all the candles on Easter.
- Read segments of Luke 22:1-24:49 throughout the days of Lent and help
your children build a time line of the events of Jesus’ life leading through Holy
Week to Easter.
- Provide a blank book with paper entitled, "Just To Think of the
Cross..." for your family to draw pictures of Jesus and the events of his life and
write any thoughts or questions they might have about Jesus and their relationship to him.
- The children in Sunday School will receive a booklet that can be used
for a devotional time. The 5th-8th graders will be given, Let’s Go: An Invitation
to Follow Jesus, and the younger children will receive The Bedbug Lenten
stories and games.
Gathered and Sent
The Tuesday noon book study group has begun the study of Gathered
and Sent, a book on worship. Walk-ins are welcomed to this discussion of what happens
in worship and how it affects are day to day lives. For more information, contact
Deaconess Doreen.
Youth Quake
Twenty-nine youth and adult sponsors will be attending Youth
Quake on February 2-4. This Christian-based, spirit-led event is sponsored
by Youth Encounter out of Minneapolis. Seven hundred 6th-9th graders from throughout
Kansas and surrounding states will participate in this annual event at the Marriott here
in Wichita.
Teacher Appreciation
A time of appreciation will be shown to our Sunday School
teachers on Sunday, February 18, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. We will enjoy a
simple meal together and have a time of continuing education. Babysitting will be
provided.
Summer Camp at Tomah Shinga
Yeah! The camp schedule for summer 2001 has been released!
Registration forms with a list of available camps are in the narthex or can be obtained
from Deaconess Doreen. Don’t wait too long to make your camping plans. Registrations
are due by May 1, 2001.
Here are some dates to note:
Parent/Child Overnighter
Pre-Junior Half-Week
Junior Camp
- Grades 4-6
- June 10-15, July 8-13
Confirmation Camp
Combination Camp
- Grades 4-9
- July 29-August 3
Usher Schedule for February
- 8:30 - Bob Weaver, Randy Worrell
- 11:00 - David Day, Jan Moyer, Fred Hambright, Ken Woodard, Ben
Langel, Ryan Woodard
From the Seminary in Austin, TX . . .
Dear Friends,
My journey toward ordination continues. On January 13, I met with
representatives of the Central States Synod Candidacy Committee for my final Synod
approval for ordination. Following an hour meeting filled with interesting theological
discussion, the committee announced approval for my ordination.
As I look back over the process, the four years have gone quickly on
the one hand, and on the other hand, each day has been its own journey. It has been a fine
experience, and I am grateful that the people of Reformation have walked with me.
The next step in the process occurs in late February. The Bishops of
the 65 ELCA Synods will meet to review the candidates. They do not meet with us
personally, but have documents about each of us. A candidate is first assigned to one of
the ELCA’s nine Regions. About a week later, the candidates are assigned to a Synod
within that Region.
The next step is for the people in the Bishops’ office to begin
matching candidates to congregations in the call process.
I’ll keep you posted!
Peace, Dawn Gorges
The Road to Coronation
Lent is a time to reflect upon this great mystery of who God
is. In addition to reading your Lenten Devotion, take this opportunity to see Jesus and
the season of Lent differently than you ever have before. Join us for a six-week class on The
Road to Coronation.
Classes will be offered four times each week for your convenience:
Sunday, 6:00 p.m.; Monday, 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.; or Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Classes will begin on Sunday, February 25.
Registration forms will be in the bulletin on February 11, and a
sign-up sheet will be available in the narthex throughout February. Cost is $10.00 per
person.
From the Seminary in New Haven, CT . . .
CIRCLE OF LOVE
Remembering St. Valentine's Day
Every night I carry a band of friends, family members, and a few
strangers into my prayers. They are remembered in my heart. During this time of
remembering I am reminded of the sacred connections that can happen during prayer. I bring
a friend from Wichita into the sacred space within. Then I gather someone from Buffalo and
walk into the depths of my being with them. Finally, all of these wonderful people, many
of them strangers to each other, are in the sacred space of my heart. It is then that they
are lifted up, honored in memory, and prayed for. At that moment the saints of God are
united, one with the other, from simply being gathered together through prayer. Each may
be a stranger to the other, but the Christ-connection that they share makes them One and
unifies them in Love by the Spirit that encompasses All.
- Laura Ulicky-Weerts
VBS Dates
Mark your calendars now! Vacation Bible School will be July
15-19 in the evenings. David Dibble and Victoria Morgan are not only the
coordinators, but the creators of "Swiss Family Reformation." Those of you with
gifts and skills in the areas of crafts, games, food ideas, curriculum and props can
expect a phone call soon!
Gift for Ministry?
Do you have gifts for organizing and delegating? Do you have a
passion for ministries of inviting and welcoming people into the church? Would you
prayerfully consider devoting several hours a month to ministries like these at
Reformation? If you answer yes, perhaps God is calling you to a specific ministry at
Reformation. Call Pastor Jerry or Deaconess Doreen, and let’s talk further.
Scout Sunday Chili Lunch
Boy Scout Troop 523 will conduct their annual chili lunch
after the 11:00 a.m. service on Scout Sunday, February 11. The congregation
is encouraged to attend the lunch and support the troop’s camping program through
their donations.
Bishop Maahs to Visit
Bishop Maahs will preside at Holy Communion and preach on
Sunday, February 18. He will also speak in the Parish Hall at 9:45 a.m.
Bishop Maahs has expressed his gratitude for our congregation’s strong support of our
two seminarians, Dawn Gorges and Laura Ulicky-Weerts, both preparing for pastoral ministry
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Members are encouraged to make a special
offering to the Seminarian Support Fund.
Dawn Gorges Approved for Ordination
In a letter from Pastor Juel Pierce, Chair of the Candidacy
Committee of the Central States Synod Committee, Reformation Lutheran Church has been
informed that Dawn Gorges has been approved for ordination into the Holy Ministry pending
receipt and acceptance of a letter of call.
We rejoice in this good news and look forward to Dawn’s
graduation from the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (Austin, Texas) and then
her ordination sometime thereafter.
Office Staff Opening
Reformation Lutheran Church will begin a hiring process for an
additional office secretary soon. Should church members know of someone who may be
interested, resumes are being accepted now. For more information, please speak to Pastor
Mansholt.
Children and Youth Active in Worship . . .
is a day-long workshop intended to introduce
strategies for fully involving children and youth in congregational worship. Who would
benefit from attending this workshop on Saturday, February 24, 9:30 a.m. -
4:00 p.m., in Russell, KS? Anyone who values children, and especially people working with
Sunday School, LOGOS, worship and music. Interested? See the brochure at the Welcome
Center. Speak to Pastor Mansholt.
Reformation Family and Friends Ski Trip Planned
That’s right, it is time to hit the slopes again. What
better time to do it than this Spring Break, Summit County, Colorado. Ski Breckenridge,
Keystone, Copper, or A basin. All are just minutes away! Dates? March 16-20. Cost? $229
(plus lift tickets). This price includes transportation, skis, boots, poles, and
accommodations. This trip is offered by "The Slope" (Trip No. NA9) and is a
non-alcohol trip. It is also a sleeper bus trip with accommodations in a hotel. If you
would rather drive out and stay in a condo (like Dave Dibble), then call "The
Slope," and they can help you with individual accommodations for that weekend.
Everyone is welcome! Friends, family, and friends of friends. All children under the age
of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Questions? Call Dave Dibble, 685-5897
(H) or 644-9003 (cell). If you are interested, sign up soon. Spring break trips fill up
fast, and now is the time to commit.
St. Olaf Choir to Perform in Wichita
The highly acclaimed St. Olaf Choir, with Anton Armstrong,
Conductor, will be in concert at Friends University on Tuesday, February 13,
7:30 p.m., Alumni Auditorium, Davis Hall. Tickets ($18 for adults, $10 for students) are
available at the Friends University Fine Arts Office. Call 295-5537 or 295-5877. St. Olaf
College of Northfield, Minnesota, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.
February Meal-A-Month
- Baby Food & Juices
- Baby Cereal
- Diapers
- Baby Care Products
- Dry Milk (optional)
Please pick up a Yellow Bag from the narthex for YOUR
household and return it with the requested items by Sunday, February 25.
Your Support is Greatly Appreciated!
FROM STEWARDSHIP
SIMPLY GIVING
Is your mortgage payment more consistent than your church offering?
Do you have a difficult time remembering that we should give from "first
fruits"? Have you ever forgotten the checkbook on Sunday morning or thought your
spouse brought it? Have you ever promised yourself you would write that check and mail it
Monday morning? and then forgot? Most of us have answered yes to one of these questions at
one time or another. Simply Giving may be of interest to you!
Last November the Church Council approved the use of Lutheran
Brotherhood's Simply Giving program. This program uses an automated Electronic
Funds Transfer to receive member giving. This is the same mechanism used for automatic
withdrawals of home mortgages, car payments, or monthly bills. The money is electronically
transferred from your bank account to the Reformation bank account. There is no
charge to members or to Reformation for this service. The entire cost of the transactions
are underwritten by Lutheran Brotherhood.
Member signup is a one-page form (with directions) available from
the church office. Marjorie Bender, our church financial secretary, is the contact person
for this program. Marjorie can assist in the form completion and answer questions or find
the answers for you using resources from Lutheran Brotherhood. Marjorie also has brochures
available that explain the program in more detail.
One more important detail: If you are uncomfortable not putting an
offering envelope in the plate on Sunday morning--you still can! Simply Giving provides
stickers to place on your envelope indicating your participation in the automated giving
program.
If you have questions about the program, please talk to Marjorie or
me, and we will be happy to find the answers for you.
Bruce Brittain
