RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 23 May 2003 Number 5

Youth & Education Ministry Search Team Update

The Youth and Education Ministry Search Team has met three times and has assessed the church’s needs and the objectives of the position to be filled. We have researched similar available positions, identified where we need to advertise, and have written the following advertisement:

Director of Youth and Education Ministries

Seeking to fill a full-time position which offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity for an enthusiastic, creative person. This position is a valuable part of our growing professional ministry team. It involves directing and developing youth activities as well as youth and parish education. Bachelor degree preferred, experience is a plus. Salary and benefits commensurate with education and experience. Please submit a faith statement, resume, and cover letter by May 31.

We will be sending this advertisement out to colleges, churches, synods, and will be putting it on the internet. We have established a time line and have a goal of filling the position by July 15. If you know of anyone who would be great in this position, please contact Rhonda Larma (788-1973) or a member of the search team. Please pray for God's guidance in our search.

Softball

Reformation will, once again, proudly field a softball team this summer. Under the skillful management and coaching of David Day, our co-ed team will begin play on Monday night, May 12. Watch the bulletin or your e-mail for details about the time and place. come on out to the ballpark to enjoy the fresh air and fellowship and to cheer the team on!

Special Events in May . . .

Note Your Calendar and Come!

• Confirmation on Sunday, May 4
  • Confirmation Program at 9:45, Parish Hall
  • Confirmation Service at 11:00
• Golf Outing on Sunday, May 4 (Sponsored by Reformation’s Golfers for God) Echo Hills Golf Course
  • Lunch: 12:45 to 2:00 p.m
  • Tee Times: 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
• Servant of God Recognition
  • Sunday School Staff
  • Sunday, May 11, 8:30 & 11:00
• High School Graduate Recognition
  • Sunday, May 18, 8:30 & 11:00 Breakfast for graduates and their families at 9:45
• Sunday School Finale on Sunday, May 18
• Summer Worship Schedule Begins on May 25
  • Worship at 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
  • No Sunday School
  • Brunch served, 9:15 - 9:50 a.m., in the narthex

Vacation Bible School

It’s that time again! Vacation Bible School is right around the corner. We have set the dates of VBS for July 27-31, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The theme for this year is Under the Sea Bible Adventure. There will be a $5.00 per person charge to help with the cost of VBS. We are just starting to get things together, but we are looking for volunteers to help out with games, crafts, lessons, snacks, scuba instructors (group leaders), and skits. As the time gets closer we will have a list of items we need to make this Vacation Bible School a success. If you would like to help us out, please contact Katie Johnson at (316) 644-4895.

We would like to thank Pastor Tom, Barb Lee, and all members of the congregation for the many cards, prayers, telephone calls, visits, e-mails, and concerns provided during Ron’s recent surgery. It is in times like this that we are reminded of the wonderful caring congregation of Reformation. Your continued thoughts and prayers would be appreciated through Ron’s recovery.

- Ron & Carol Ott

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We wold like to express our appreciation to the members of Reformation for the prayers and cards sent during the illness of our mother and grandmother, Emalyne Terry, and after her passing. Thank you to WELCA for the nice luncheon. Our special thanks to Pastor Tom for his prayers and visits to Mom, and his help and support after her recent death.

- Caron, John and Cherie Wenderott

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Thanks to everyone who prepared and hosted one of the Wednesday lunches during the Lenten season. The time spent together in worship and fellowship was enjoyed by all of the members and visitors who attended. Serving as hosts and hostesses this year were: Russell & Sandy Muse, Shari Ryding, Eva Whetstone, Jack & Mary Ann Mercer, Doris and Nora Steg, Susan Cherches, Virginia Leikvold, and Dorla Alseike. Desserts were provided by Iva Volbrecht, Arlene Langland, Lotus Gerards, Marlene Hallstrom, Ruth Koepsel.

Worship Assistants Appreciated

A sincere "Thank You" to each and every worship assistant who shared his or her gift of service in worship during April, and especially during Holy Week. Over 50 adults and youth were involved. Your dedicated service is appreciated by all in the Reformation family.

Training sessions for new assisting ministers, communion assistants, and acolytes are being planned. Please let Pastor Hallstrom or Ruth Koepsel know if you are interested, and watch for more information to follow.

Spring Cleanup of Church

Grounds Accomplished

A flurry of activity took place in our church gardens on April 5. Weeds were pulled, shrubs were trimmed, roses pruned, and 100 bags of mulch were spread! All this was accomplished by 20 determined volunteers in only two hours! We give our thanks and appreciation to the following "gardeners": Ed & Lola Wilks, Kurt Soschinske, Paul & Shari Ryding, Derek Rindt, Sandy Muse, Jan & Donna Moyer, Jette Mortensen, Jack & Shirley Metz, Keith Martin, Barb Lee, Wil Johnson, Gary & Linda Hoepner, Michele Groves, and Waldo & Lotus Gerards. Refreshments and fellowship followed the work! Another cleanup will be scheduled in the fall . . . come and join us!

Another Gardening Opportunity Awaits . . .

"Adopt an area" of the church grounds to keep weed free this spring and summer! You may select your area, although one has already been claimed! Please call Waldo or Lotus, 683-8602, to "stake" your claim.

Graduating?

Will you or a family member or a Reformation friend graduate from college or another school this spring? Perhaps receive an advanced degree? We would like to know about it and your plans. Please contact the church office with the information: name of school, program, degree received, etc. Thanks! Congratulations!

Women of Reformation

CIRCLE MEETINGS

• Sarah Monday, May 19 7:00 p.m. at the home of Mary Lou Bengtson, 8803 E. Harry St., #505, Lesson Leader: Marlene Hallstrom
• Dorcas Wednesday, May 21 1:00 p.m. at the church, Hostess: Mark Dickerson, Co-hostesses: Emma Born, Dorothea Rindt, Lesson Leader: Ruth Koepsel
• WELCA Board Meeting will be Monday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m. at church.
• Blanket Makers will meet Mondays, May 5 & 19, at church at 9:00 a.m.
• Monthly Outreach Ministry: We will meet at Cornerstone Assisted Living, south of our church, Tuesday, May 13, 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. Please join us, as they look forward to our visits each month.
• Church Women United will meet for "May Friendship Day" on Friday, May 2, 1:00 p.m. at Woodridge Christian Church, 12111 E. 13th.
• Please join us for Women’s Night Out. We will be meeting at Kobe Steak House of Japan, 650 N. Carriage Parkway, on Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the nursery door, or call Marcie Fosdick, 733-0340, for reservations.

Choir Worship Schedule

Date	8:30	11:00
May 4	Cantor	Parish Choir
May 11	Cantors	Parish Choir
May 18	Parish Choir	Handbell Choir
May 25		Women’s Ensemble
June 1	Cantor	Parish Choir
June 8	Handbell Choir	Handbell Choir

BTOL

Best Times of Life, Reformation’s fellowship group for those 55 years and over, will meet Monday, May 12, at noon in Parish Hall. The program will be presented by Wayne Bryan and others from The Music Theater for Wichita. Come and join us for lunch, good fellowship, and also a very good program. Bring a covered dish to share, your table service, and call Pauline (942-4885) or Charlotte (684-9165), saying you will be there, so the hosts will know how many tables to prepare.

Arab Christians in the Heartland

This traveling exhibit, opening Tuesday, May 6, at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, recounts the experience of immigrants from Lebanon who settled in Wichita beginning in 1895. As they became business and professional leaders, they have preserved their Eastern Orthodox Christian faith and continue to contribute to the vitality of our cultural community. Produced by the Heartland Orthodox Museum in Topeka, the exhibit includes historic and contemporary photographs, newspaper accounts, personal stories, and mementoes on loan from local Lebanese families.

The exhibit will be on view from May 6 through June 22 at the Historical Museum, located downtown at 204 S. Main. Viewing hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission: $2/adult and $1/children 6-16. Members and children under 6 admitted free. For more information, call (316) 265-9314, or visit www.wichitahistory.org.

Used Car Wanted

The David & Pat Johnson family is looking for a small used car in good condition. If you have one you’d like to sell or know of someone with such a car, please call Pat, 733-6275. Thank you.

Lawn Care

Do you need lawn mowing or lawn care? We do commercial and residential. Call Adam, Aaron, or Bryan Watkins at 733-9668 for a bid.

Devotional Book Reaches Out … Far And Wide

The Lenten Devotional booklet published by Reformation is an outreach that far exceeds the 500 copies we print and distribute locally.

The printed version is mailed to all members of the congregation and to all those on our mailing list, including other ELCA congregations in our area. Copies have also been hand-delivered to local assisted living homes, Ronald McDonald House, and Venture House.

Venture House uses each day’s meditation as the basis for their daily staff devotions. At Ronald McDonald, copies of the booklet are placed in client rooms. If clients take the booklet with them when they leave, a new copy is placed there.

This ministry touches hundreds of people locally, but it touches thousands outside our immediate area via the Internet.

Webmaster Mark Yeskie reports that, in the days immediately preceding the beginning of the Lenten season, 2300 individual e-mail accounts had asked to receive the devotionals. Transmission was set up on an automatic basis, which took 28 minutes of cybertime to deliver every day.

I-subscribers come from most states in the U.S. and from many foreign countries. Among the countries we can identify through e-mail addresses are these: Canada, China, Iceland, India, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

We have been asked many times, and granted, permission for the reprinting of the entire booklet or specific devotionals. Congregations may reprint one devotional in their newsletters or they may reprint the entire booklet and distribute it to their membership. Many have done so.

It’s a continuing amazement that so many people throughout the world have been touched by this ministry.

Thanks to all of you who have worked on this project. May we all be so inspired by the Spirit and empowered to speak boldly in the name of Jesus.

Informal Worship: Time Out for God

The 37th year of Time Out for God lakeside services at Cheney Lake State Park will begin on Sunday,

May 25. This ministry for campers and others in the area has grown over the years. These services run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Time of service is 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. These services include a time for singing, special music, Scripture, and a timely meditation. Rev. Lester Zook conducts this ministry.

Should you or your family be in the lakeside area on Sunday morning, you are invited to come as you are, bring a friend with you, and join us in a unique worship experience. Enter Cheney Lake State Park on the west side, at the main entrance off of 21st St. West. Services are held in and around the pavilion.

Confirmation

Confirmation will be Sunday, May 4, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Thirteen confirmands will affirm their baptism and their faith in Jesus Christ in this important rite.

• Britt Boman
• Michaela Boman
• Andrew Johnson
• Sara Keith
• Amber Kershaw
• Stephanie Larma
• Mitchell List
• Geoffrey Pool
• Pearce Ramsey
• Joshua Rodrock
• Anna Waswick
• Aaron Watkins
• Adam Watkins

At 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall, the confirmands will present a program. All members of the congregation are invited and encouraged to be present.

From Our Graduate Seminarian . . .

Dear Reformation friends,

I just finished watching yet another TV segment on the SARS epidemic based in Asia and infiltrating the borders of many countries across the world. The fear of those who have been exposed is quite real, and its stigmatizing parallels to leprosy have been duly noted by the press. These reports quite naturally stir a certain amount of fear in us. I recently heard a report of someone from Wichita that had come down with SARS after returning from China with a baby they had recently adopted. I realized then that even the people of the Midwest are not immune from this epidemic.

Fear is a strange phenomenon. It can paralyze us unless we are diligent in separating the idea of taking good, healthy precautions from that of a self-protective stance that cuts us off from those people and situations that stir up in us anxiety and fear that many of us carry. I am not just talking about SARS now, but about any situation that we may be reactive to in our lives. Often we mask our personal weaknesses because of our fear- fear of rejection, judgment, or unworthiness. Taking the risk to be authentically ourselves is never easy, but we can learn from Jesus what it means to humble ourselves for the sake of others. For Jesus, it meant love and commitment toward his disciples and being present for those less fortunate in society- so that he was not separated from the very people that he loved and came to serve. And yes, because of this risk there is always the possibility of "crucifixion." Yet only the person who is not afraid to be vulnerable and show their weakness to others can then truly allow themselves to be touched by the Christ of the "resurrection."

The Lord himself challenges us to die to our defenses and rise to new personal and spiritual growth through His power! I know that I struggle with this fear to risk on a daily basis and my guess is that you do too. May the God of salvation empower you to "let go and let God" in your life so that the full fruit of God's love in Christ can be daily realized in your life.

Blessings,

Laura Ulicky-Weerts

Calling All Instrumentalists

Middle School, High School, and Adult instrumentalists who would like to rehearse and provide music for worship occasionally this summer, please contact Marlene Hallstrom at 687-3135

Health Ministry Minute . . .

Over the Counter Pain Medications (OTCs)

OTC pain medications can be classified into three basic groups: aspirin and aspirin-based products (Bufferin); acetaminophen (Tylenol); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (Advil, Motrin, Aleve).

Acetaminophen is the best choice for most types of everyday aches and pains and is less likely to cause adverse effects than aspirin and NSAIDS. If acetaminophen isn’t working for pain from osteoarthritis, you may need to consider NSAIDS. NSAIDS usually work better for rheumatoid arthritis.

Generic brands are often cheaper and are identical to name-brand products. Read the side panel and compare the ingredients and dosage. Always take medications with water unless instructed to do otherwise by your doctor or pharmacist and consult your doctor or pharmacist when purchasing or taking OTC medications.

Caution: NSAIDS can cause sodium and water retention, which can increase blood pressure and increase the workload for the kidneys. They may also irritate the stomach and cause ulcers, AND they may interact with prescription medications.

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For Information on CPR Training: Please contact the American Red Cross at 268-0842, or the American Heart Association at 265-4238.

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Health and fitness are better than any gold, and a robust body than countless riches. There is no wealth better than health of body, and no gladness above joy of heart.

- Sirach: Chapter 30 (15-16)

Community Ministries

Local Community

Yellow Bag Food Ministry - Thank you to everyone remembering the continuing need in our community for food. High unemployment makes our help all the more needed by local organizations serving those in need. United Methodist Urban Ministry Food Ministry distributes the food we donate through our Yellow Bag Food Ministry.

Global Community

Iraq - Even as the military campaign in Iraq comes to a close, the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people may increase. Already, in some parts, severe food and water shortages have occurred and health care is vulnerable. The ELCA is responding through Action by Churches Together (ACT), an international disaster response coalition. ACT’s local partner in Iraq, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its network of churches in the region, has been providing aid throughout the many years of suffering of Iraqi people. MECC aims at sustaining people’s lives and reducing their sufferings and distress. Specific objectives include: the stockpile of basic food commodities, medicines and medical supplies in hospitals and medical centers, securing clean drinking water, preventing health hazards and transmission of diseases, providing shelters, bedding, heaters and kitchen utensils. (See the kiosk in the narthex for more information)

If you would like to help, you may send your contribution to:

• ELCA International Disaster Response
• PO Box 71764
• Chicago IL 60694-1764

100% of gifts designated to the ELCA’s "Iraq Disaster Assistance" will be used for that purpose. Meanwhile, contributions to the general disaster fund that can be applied to where the needs are greatest also are needed.

If you prefer, your check to Reformation with a designation to "Iraq Disaster Assistance" will be combined with other contributions and forwarded to ELCA International Disaster Response.

Vision for Mission - This Annual Churchwide Offering gives us an opportunity to join with other congregations to support our mission as Christ’s people. Vision for Mission supports chuchwide evangelism and leadership development efforts. There are many ministries that no one congregation can do alone, but through our joint support much can be done. Take a few moments to read the stories on the Community Ministries narthex kiosk of Vision for Mission gifts supporting missionary families, developing new congregations, and providing scholarships for future church leaders. Look for a Vision for Mission flyer with a contribution envelope in the Sunday Bulletin soon.

• Michele Groves
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• 634-0553

High School Graduation Recognition

On Sunday, May 18, our Reformation family will recognize the youth of our congregation who are graduating this spring from high school. These seniors and their families will be invited to a breakfast in Parish Hall and will be recognized during the 11:00 worship service. We all join in wishing them God’s blessings at this very important time in their lives.

The graduates for 2003 are:

• Myndy Brandes
• Ryan Caplan
• Samantha Hamilton
• Heath Heine
• Nathan Johnson
• Jenny Larma
• Jordan List
• Nick Meyer
• Sara Muse
• Wojciech Osadkowski

Our Mid-Week Children’s Program

Building Christian relationships in a four-part retreat experience.

Thank you to all the people who graciously volunteered their time and helped make the 2002-2003 LOGOS year a great success!! We would like to recognize these volunteers who committed their time and talents in support of the children of Reformation through the LOGOS ministry! A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!

Angela Davis, Mary Brittain, Barbara Borg, Lori East, Carole Lofing, Tanya Flores, Pastor Tom Hallstrom, Marlene Hallstrom, Ken Hobart, Marcia Werts, Linda Brown, Eugenia Yau, Heidi Jensen, Virginia Leikvold, Janice Yeskie, Troy Brown, Judy McDiffett, Sara Muse, Bob Weaver, Sheryl Johnson, Lynette Wetta, DeAnne Dennis, Keith Martin, Susan Martin, David Day, Nancy Day, Kimberly Lindemann, Marcie Fosdick, Tom Arnold, Pat Arnold, Holly Coleman, Karen Vlamis, Carol Weaver, Laurel Davis, Nancy Watkins, Gary Hoepner, Linda Hoepner, Marsha Meili, Barbara Lee, Bruce Brittain, Jennifer Flippen, Kara Pryor, Nate Johnson, Kate Johnson, Howard Leikvold, Eva Whetstone, Lotus Gerards, Marlene Hasselwander, Susan Bachman, Donna Moyer, Mary Ward-Pfeiffer, Shirley Metz, Pastor Sally Fahrenthold, Art Latham, Pauline Latham, Randy Fornshell, Sharon Fornshell, Michele Groves, Wil Johnson, Mark Dickerson, Jack Dickerson, Carol Ott, Shari Ryding, Pat Johnson, Twila Coonfield and the Prayer Support group. Also thanks to the many, many individuals who furnished homemade items.

Are you wanting to get more involved with our church! Do you love working with kids? Consider a leadership role with LOGOS! The LOGOS Leadership Training will be held on July 21-23 at Ascension Lutheran Church. Registration is in June. If anyone is interested, please contact Mary Brittain or Angela Davis.

Last update August 03, 2008