MESSENGER - Central States Synod

Area Ministry 5 July 2012
MESSENGER
Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Central States Synod
This is my song, O God of all the
nations, a song of peace for lands afar
and mine.
This is my home, the country where my
heart is; here are my hopes, my
dreams, my holy shrine;
but other hearts in other lands are
beating with hopes and dreams as true
and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the
ocean, and sunlight beams on
cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and
clover, and skies are ev’rywhere as
blue as mine.
So hear my song, O God of all the
nations, a song of peace for their land
and for mine.
This is my prayer, O God of all earth’s
kingdoms, your kingdom come; on
earth your will be done.
O God, be lifted up till all shall serve
you, and hearts united learn to live as
one.
So hear my prayer, O God of all the
nations; myself I give you; let your
will be done.
Text: Lloyd Stone, sts. 1-2;
Georgia Harkness, st. 3
Tune: Finlandia ELW 887
Trevor Schul of
Christ-Wichita
paints a shed
at a nursing
home, cheered
on by Abby,
one of
Group’s
directors.
Summer youth mission trips...
Building experiences together
When 14 youth and 4 sponsors from Emanuel boarded an Amtrak
train in Hutchinson headed for Chicago in the early hours of June 21, they
were embarking on an adventure together that gave them a whole new range
of experiences and the opportunity to be part of the church in other places.
Pr. Tim Carey enjoyed introducing them to
his hometown area.
The group rode on Amtrak, and learned
to use public transportation, getting around
Chicago by bus and train.
Youth and sponsors took in a Cubs
game and saw the Cubs beat the Mets. It
was Bobble Head Night, so all have a
souvenir of the game.
The Emanuel group visited
Chicago’s fine museums, ate
some Chicago pizza, and visited
The Lutheran Center (ELCA
headquarters). They visited
Pacific Garden Mission, a large
inner city mission, that sleeps
500 homeless people each
night. While there, they
Emanuel group at Pacific Garden Mission,
Chicago.
witnessed the taping of the radio show “Unshackled.”
Each day included devotions and prayer in the atrium of the hotel. Pr.
Carey says that they hoped to experience God’s presence and grace in a new
place, and at the same time to be a light of God’s presence. “It was an
awesome trip and many wonderful memories were brought back.”
The June 2012 issue of The Lutheran magazine features “Don’t just plan
a mission trip, build an experience.” It notes that congregational mission
trips have grown significantly in the last 20 years. Mark J. Jackson and
David Ellinson, Trinity Lutheran College professors, advocate a 4-stage
process. Preparation provides a sense of meaning and purpose for the
experience. Action is the service phase, Reflection provides an opportunity
to “wrestle” with what that service [and trip] meant and ask how it applies to
my life. The Celebration stage is when participants process and share what
they have learned with others. The article also emphasizes relationship
formation as a key element of a service experience – the group’s
strengthened relationships and relationship or partnership with people in the
place served.
Nine youth and sponsors of Christ-Wichita traveled to Nashville,
TN, for a mission trip June 23 - 30. They joined 8 other youth groups from
across the country, all organized for mission through Group. They “did some
incredible ministry,” according to Pr. Chad Langdon. (Continued next page.)

(Mission experiences continued.)
Christ Lutheran youth and
sponsors engaged in service
projects: working at nursing
homes, painting, cleaning
houses, taking care of
animals at Salvation Ranch,
and sorting shoes for Soles4
Souls. Salvation Ranch is a
shelter for sick farm animals.
Evenings, youth worshiped,
Allie Brown and Nora
Lechner delivered mail at
Vanco Manor nursing home.
Sponsor Mary Martin and Pr.
Chad’s Marvin the Monkey help
sort shoes for Soles4Souls, that
collects, refurbishes and sends
shoes to countries where they
are needed.
prayed and played.
Going to and from
Nashville, the group stopped
in St. Louis, went up in the
Arch and saw Busch
Stadium. In Nashville they
visited the Country Music
Hall of Fame and BB
King’s restaurant. They
stopped in Memphis to visit
the Civil Rights Museum
and walk along Beale
Street.
Pr. Chad Langdon says
they “came away from the
experience with a new
appreciation for how Jesus
in constantly making all
things new.” (Rev. 21:5)
They planned to share their experience and receive an
offering for the ELCA Malaria Project on July 8.
Youth of Gloria Dei held an overnight Lock-In at
St. Paul’s-Wichita. Pr. Dave Fulton of St. Paul’s spoke
to the group on the importance of putting faith in action
and service in the community. Gloria Dei Youth Director
Victor Peterson says, “The Lock-In was important
because it was an opportunity for our youth to experience
the St. Paul’s Breakfast and for us to bond as a group.”
Y
Mikaela Harman receives a travel
blessing from Pr. Dave Fulton at
St. Paul’s-Wichita, while
worshipers joined in raising their
hands in blessing her too.
outh of 8 Area
churches head for
ELCA Youth
Gathering.
Area high school youth
and leaders are ready to
leave for the National
ELCA Youth Gathering
in New Orleans.
Fifty-five members
of 7 congregations will
travel in a bus, after
meeting and planning
together for months.
The congregations are
Cross of Glory, Gloria
Dei, Good Shepherd,
Reformation,
Resurrection, and St. Paul’s-Wichita. Youth and leaders
from Christ-Eureka will attend also, meeting up with their
former Pastor, Maureen Howard.
Congregations are offering prayer blessings as they
send their youth and leaders to an event that will be
inspiring and memorable.
Resurrection
Youth hold
Pancake Dinner
and Auction
Raising funds for
going to the National
ELCA Youth
Gathering in New
Orleans has created
major events in
congregations.
The youth of
Resurrection in
Haysville held a
Pancake Dinner and
Auction on June 30,
with generous results
for their upcoming
trip.

Summer fun and the Fourth
Fourth of July Parade for Christ-Wichita
Christ-Wichita took Jonah, boat and whale to the
Independence Day Parade in Park City. Designer Alan Olson
is Jonah in the whale.
Wichita State University’s Summer Choir
includes Area singers
“It was a wonderful night of music!”enthuses Glennyce
Reimers (Reformation). Dr. Tom Wine led practices with
the 90 volunteer singers twice a week in June. The
Concert of June 28 was presented to a full Wiedemann
Hall on the WSU Campus.
The theme was “American Folksongs and Spirituals.”
Among the singing voices were Glennyce and Pr. Paul
Reimers, Shirley King, Suzanne Koch, Doris Rose-Ross,
all of Reformation, and Pr. Tom Hallstrom, Interim
Pastor at Cross of Glory. The group ARISE (African-
Americans Renewing Interest in Spiritual Ensembles)
also sang several numbers. The combined choirs “raised
the rafters,” according to Glennyce, with “Keep Your
Lamps Trimmed and Burning” and “Ain’t Got Time to
Die.” Glennyce says, “The power of the words – ‘Glory
and Honor... ain’t got time to die’ was thrilling to the
choirs and the audience.”
Twyla Hill (Reformation) said she thoroughly enjoyed
the concert. Robin Pressnall (Christ-Wichita) spoke of
“Such talent! Beautiful music... Consider this musical
opportunity next summer.” Glennyce sums it up: “It was
a spiritual experience as well as a musical joy.”
Red, White and Boom! at Reformation was an oldfashion
4 th of July celebration. Picnic supper, games and
races, and inflated bounces started the evening.
At dusk everyone set up folding lawn chairs, facing
east, to Oh” and “Ah” at the fireworks of Wichita County
Club. Many commented that “swivel heads” were needed
to enjoy the many colorful bursts in nearby
neighborhoods too.
A “corny” 4 th at Cross of Glory
Cross of Glory’s acres of sweet corn
were picked and sold on June 30,
July 4, and other days. On July 8, the
church celebrated a Weiner Roast and
Sweet Corn Festival with skit and songs.
A delicious annual project!
At Gloria Dei, a group of youth and adult string players (all
members) provided the prelude and offertory music on
Sunday, June 24. Eleven string players under the direction
of member Victoria Griffitt participated in the group.
Preliminary plans are to have this group participate in
worship on a quarterly basis. Victoria will direct the Derby
Middle School Band beginning this fall.

Ordaining a new pastor:
The Rev. Chris Deines
Pastors, Associates in Ministry, and Parish Ministry
Associates
joined Bishop
Gerald Mansholt
in laying hands
on Chris Deines
with prayer for
the blessings of
the Holy Spirit,
and as the
congregation
joined in prayer.
This was a sign of the many people and places that have
blessed Pr. Chris along his journey of faith.
Chris was confirmed at
Reformation Lutheran Church, where
he was ordained. As a student at
Wichita Heights High School, he
enjoyed Falcon Fellowship luncheons
at Christ-Wichita. He was a camper and
later a leader at Camp Tomah Shinga.
Chris was active in the campus ministry
at Bethany College, and served as a
youth ministry leader at Messiah
Lutheran Church, Lindsborg.
After graduation Chris was Parish Worker at
Emanuel in Hutchinson, where he met his wife, Chelsea.
They moved to Dubuque, Iowa, for him to attend
Wartburg Theological Seminary, where he graduated with
the Master of Divinity degree. He served as Pastoral Intern
at Osseo (Wisconsin) Lutheran Church. Our Area Ministry
and Reformation have given financial and prayer support
for Chris in his preparation for ministry. He has been
called to pastor
St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church,
Nevada, MO, and
St. Matthew,
Butler, MO.
People
representative of
all of these steps
in Chris’ life
were present at
his ordination.
Present with proud smiles were his mother Martha Deines
(Reformation), wife Chelsea and daughter Mollie, and
sister, brother-in-law and niece Megan, Alex, and Leah
MacPherson of Topeka.
Together the Lutheran community has surrounded,
nurtured and encouraged Chris along the way, as we have
with other leaders growing in our congregations.
Pr. Henry Hartman... Re-Retiring (again)
Pr. Henry Hartman has announced that he will
resign as Support Pastor of Zion in Hutchinson on
August 31. He writes, “I have had a good six years of
ministry here at Zion Lutheran, and I appreciate your
willingness to receive me as your pastor. My prayers are
for you and the Church that you may continue to
minister to those in any need and to those who want to
hear about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.”
Pr. Hartman was called out of retirement 6 years
ago to serve the Zion congregation. He says that health
conditions have slowed him down. Now he looks
forward to more time with his wife Becky, travels
around Kansas, visits to all kinds of churches, and
enjoying their home, garden and goats. “It’s time to hang
up the spurs, as the Texans would say.” O Henry! Happy
trails to you!
Rebuilding after North Dakota Floods
One year after disastrous floods in Minot, North
Dakota, congregations are still in the process of
rebuilding. Pr. Michon Weingartner is pastor of
Augustana Lutheran Church there. The congregation lost
use of their church building entirely. They paired with
Bread of Life Lutheran Church, sharing office space,
and holding worship services at Minot State University,
according to ELCA News release of June 19. Pr.
Weingartner calls the partnership “very helpful.”
“Right as the flood waters were approaching,
Bishop Narum called the [area] congregations together,”
said Pr. Weingartner. The congregation planned to hold
services back at its building on June 24. The ELCA
Disaster Response remains in the region, coordinating
volunteers and meeting needs. The bishop says the
biggest needs now are “prayer and finances.”
Pr. Michon Weingartner formerly was a member of
St. Paul’s-Wichita and served as Youth Director at
Reformation, before entering seminary.
Victor Peterson
(Gloria Dei)
helped along
with World Impact
in clean-up after
the tornado in the
Oaklawn area of
Wichita. Big job!

Reaching young people at VBS
Gloria Dei youth: Rainbow Trail Camp, Colorado
At Emanuel: “Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity”
More than 40 boys and girls
sang and moved to VBS songs
at Emanuel.
Pr. Phil Vickers and
“apprentices” at Babylon’s
Flute Shop
Victor Peterson, Youth
Director, says, “It was a
great experience!” He
saw it as an opportunity
for young people to grow
in faith.
Middle school youth, a
high school leader, Pr.
Peter Jacobson, and
Victor Peterson of
Gloria Dei worshiped,
learned, hiked, and had
a good time together at
Rainbow Trail Camp.
Courageous Pr. Tim Carey
(Daniel) shows the scary lion
to children.
Snacks are important VBS
treats.
Resurrection: “Sky! Everything Is Possible with God!”
VBS offerings for
Malaria nets.
“Filling the Hunger Gap” with lunch this summer
Many area congregations are among those collecting
donations and signing up volunteers for helping children at
risk of hunger during the couple of weeks before school
starts, July 30 - August 10. More help is needed and
welcome!
Donate goodies to add to lunches – especially
individual fruit and pudding cups, fruit roll-up treats,
and fresh peelable fruit (oranges, bananas). Also
needed: school supplies. Collect these at church, in
your family, in your neighborhood. Each of the 11 sites
will serve 40 or more meals each day, for 10 days.
Volunteer for a couple days or more, 11:30 - 1:30, at a
site where help is needed, to welcome and assist with
the box lunches. Transport volunteers with pick-up
trucks needed to help deliver cartons of food, and
delivery assistants to help carry (on call July 23 - Aug.
10).
To volunteer or for where to deliver donations, to see
where help is most needed, please contact Pr. Sally
Fahrenthold, Partners for Wichita Samaritan Community
coordinator, 683-8649, partnersforwichita@cox.net.

Women of St. John’s welcome pastors to Wellington.
On July 3, Area Ministry 5 clergy and Parish Ministry
Associate Larry Frank gathered at St. John’s in
Wellington for their regular monthly meeting. Women of
the church prepared delectable treats and served patriotic
cookies on the day before the 4 th .
The monthly clergy meetings are important times for
prayer, learning, sharing, planning, and mutual support for
the ministries of area congregations.
Zion offers cyclists’ oasis
Zion offers the house next to their parking lot as a
hostel for bicyclers passing through Hutchinson. This
service is much appreciated, as they hear in letters like
this:
Dear Zion Church family,
Please know that your continued kindness and
generosity is so much appreciated by fellow cyclists. after
a long day of biking in the wind on a hot day, it’s like an
oasis to be in your building with AC, shower and beds,
and use of kitchen. Such great outreach this is!! So, thank
you, THANK YOU!
Love, Ed & Cathy (support by car) Benton of Alabama
A Call for Musicians
A weekly concert at Via Christi Rehabilitation
Hospital (formerly Our Lady of Lourdes at 11 th & N.
Rock Rd.) provides patients a needed diversion and a
comforting and uplifting start to their week. Concerts take
place every Sunday evening, 6:00 - 6:30 p.m., in the
Rehab Chapel or Dining Room.
Muriel Slater (member of Gloria Dei) is the Music
Ministry Coordinator at Via Christi Hospital. If you
would like to share your musical gifts and perform a
concert for the patients, please contact Muriel Slater at
268-8132.
Jumpy Monkey Coffee -
opportunity blend at Mosaic
Mosaic, the Lutheranaffiliated
successor organization
to Bethphage Mission and
Martin Luther Homes, will serve you a cup of coffee –
Jumpy Monkey – as well as offering services for people
with intellectual disabilities. Winfield KS Mosaic serves
about 60-70 people with housing, case management, day
services and employment opportunities. Jumpy Monkey
Coffee is part of the program.
Jumpy Monkey Coffee is a source of employment at
Winfield Mosaic and at the 6 Kansas Mosaic offices as
well as in 13 other states. With Jumpy Monkey there are
job training opportunities, in grinding, packaging, and
distributing coffee to stores and vendors in the area.
Mosaic has a small coffee shop in Winfield, open on
weekday mornings.
Sarah Pohlenz, a Mosaic staff member and friend of
Janet Janzen (Gloria Dei) tells of the excitement people
with disabilities have in learning and working in this
business. She reports that Jumpy Monkey Coffee is a
good option for fundraising for youth and other groups,
while helping the “coffee with a cause.” She says that
Mosaic also does samplings in the community, sells
coffee in bulk to be brewed and/or sold in local
businesses, caters for events, and at holidays, offers gift
baskets. They were recently involved in an art expo at
Century II.
Jumpy Monkey Coffee roasting company is part of
“Opportunities Unlimited” in Sioux City, Iowa, which
serves individuals who have suffered traumatic brain
and/or spinal cord injuries.
For information, contact Sarah Pohlenz, 620-229-
8702 ext. 18, sarah,polenz@mosaicinfo.org . Mosaic is at
2120 E. 9 th Ave., Winfield, KS 67156.
Bethany House of Studies
Fall Event
The Gospel of Luke
Dr. Eugene Bales, Presenter
Saturday, September 29 - 9:15 -2:45
Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, Kansas
Contact: 620-241-6003.

Quilts on display before Tomah Shinga Auction
The beautiful handiwork of quilters across Kansas
brought many smiles – for lucky and generous bidders,
for skilled quilters, and for Camp Tomah Shinga.
More than $10,000 was raised for the camp. Some
local quilts were among the top sales. The sale was held
in the air-condition hall on that very hot June 30.
As one first-time visitor to Camp Tomah Shinga said,
“I am so glad I went! It was a wonderful day. I am glad
we could help our camp.”
The Rev. Cheryl Hoops
ELCA pastor completing CPE residency
As Pr. Cheryl Hoops completes a year as a resident
here at Wesley Medical Center, she has the opportunity to
discern future opportunities for ministry.
Pr. Hoops came to Wichita a year ago to grow in
ministry skills with 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education
(CPE). That makes for a challenging year, with long
hours, all night shifts, and the crises and blessings of
serving as a hospital chaplain.
She returned to Wichita after living away for 13
years. She lived in Montana to help her mother, attended
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in the TEAM
program, and served a 3-point parish in north central
Montana for 5 years. She has a son here and another in
Phoenix. Pr. Hoops has been worshiping at Reformation,
where she was a member years ago.
The CPE service will be completed the end of
August. Pr. Hoops is looking at ways to serve in the future
– perhaps as a chaplain or as a parish pastor. She is
available to supply preach in the meantime. She can be
reached at 316-347-6221, hoops_47@yahoo.com.
Re-membering
(Excerpts from article by Pr. Lowell Michelson,
Reformation’s Re-Focus, June 2012)
Nsanya Otis Kapya suffered major head injuries in a
car crash on Sunday, April 15. He wasn’t in his native
land of Tanzania, but was attending classes in Nairobi,
Kenya. A few days later he died there in the Intensive
Care Unit. Although he was twelve house from home, he
wasn’t alone. Not only was he surrounded by medical
staff who were attending to him with compassionate care
and family who had traveled to be at his side, but the
same love and breath of God that pulses in and out of
your lungs as you read these words surrounded him in his
final earthly moments.
A few weeks later on the other side of the world two
dozen of us gathered in the sanctuary of reformation just
before dusk to celebrate his life. Otis was a cousin and
nephew to some of our African members.
The Christian funeral and memorial service do
powerful things. Whether held in a church sanctuary, the
chapel at the funeral home, or standing graveside on a
windy Kansas day, this ancient ritual crosses time and
space to name our need and hear words of reassurance
grounded in the enduring promises of God.
In the opening words of his memorial service, we
announced, “We are gathered this day to remember
before God our brother, to give thanks for his long and
full life, and to commend him to our merciful
redeemer...”
Re-membering. Isn’t this what happens each time we
are gathered for worship God draws us from our many
places of living and working, literally reassembling us as
the body of Christ...
It was beautiful the way the Christian community
around the world came together to celebrate Otis’ life
and grieve his death. As we stood engulfed in the
resurrection promises of God, we couldn’t deny the
reality that in our living and dying, we are not alone.
Kid’s Kingdom has openings for the fall.
St. Paul’s Day Care/Preschool Learning Center is
enrolling for fall. The program provides full day care,
with a preschool curriculum in the mornings. Kid’s
Kingdom is serves children ages 3 through 5 years, 7:00
a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Located at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 925 N. Waco,
the center is especially convenient for families who live
or work downtown. The program offers educational
activities, outdoor play, weekly music, and seasonal field
trips in a nurturing Christian setting. Full and part-time
enrollments are accepted. Contact for info or enrolling:
Dixie Learned, Director, 263-2433.

Community Breakfast help needed on August 25
A partner, group, or congregation is needed to serve
the Community Breakfast at St. Paul’s-Wichita on
Saturday, August 25. A team of about 12-14 people is
needed to welcome guests, cook, and serve a breakfast
menu. A team from one church could volunteer to cook
and serve and another team could fund the food – or one
congregation could do both.
The Breakfasts have been serving about 120 people
each Saturday this summer. These Saturdays provide good
food and a good time together for the guests as well as the
serving teams. Lord of Life members were helping twice a
year; that closing leaves a need for serving teams on 4 th
Saturdays in August and February,. Servers are needed
the 4 th Saturdays of November and May as well.
Elaine Harvey (St. Paul’s) coordinates the Breakfasts
and provides information. Contact her at 744-2935 or
Elaine.Harvey@wichita.edu.
Area Ministry Calendar
July 27-29, Women of the ELCA Synod Convention, St.
Joseph, MO. Theme: “Sing to the Lord.”
Tuesday, August 7, 9:00 a.m. Monthly meeting,
clergy/AIM/PMA at Reformation
August 26, 5:00 p.m. Area Ministry 5 Council, open to
all, at Reformation
Preachers’ text study on Tuesdays, 9:00, St. Paul’s,
except first Tuesdays.
Together in prayer - caring and supporting our
ministries
Congregations and pastors in our Area Ministry 5 are
not alone as we gather in worship, learning, fellowship,
and decision-making and as we reach out to the world
around us. Please pray for these congregations and
leaders in worship and personally.
July 15: Zion, Hutchinson, Pr. Henry Hartman;
Youth and leaders at ELCA Youth gathering
July 22: Seminarians and awaiting call: Caleb Crainer
(Zion), Tim Meyer (Reformation, Luther Seminary
distributed learning).
July 29: Pastors in special ministries, on leave and other
service: Pr. Bill Horn, St. Bartholomew Episcopal;
Pr. Tamara Keen, Interim Pastor, Good Shepherd,
and Supply at Our Saviour’s; Pr. Tom Hallstrom,
Interim Pastor, Cross of Glory; Pr. Tom Schaefer; Pr.
Natacha Kemp; Pr. Gary Harris; Pr. Cheryl Hoops.
Parish Ministry Associates Larry Frank and Jean
Hagbom. Prayer for Pr. Maynard Peterson as he
retires at Veterans Administration Medical Center.
August 5: Christ, Eureka
August 12: Christ, Wichita, Pr. Chad Langdon
August 19: Cross of Glory, Derby, Interim Pastor
Thomas Hallstrom.
August 26: Bishop Gerald Mansholt, Bishop’s
Associates Pr. John Kreidler, Pr. Janice Kibler, and
Pr. Len Dale; Bishop’s Assistant Dan Glamann; JP
Palmer; other staff.
Area Ministry 5 Messenger
Pr. Sally C. Fahrenthold
6515 E. 30 St. N. #2900
Wichita, KS 67226
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Thanks for your news notes and photos! Please send
news and photos to Pr. Sally Fahrenthold at
sallyf@cox.net or address below, before the 4 th of the
month. Newsletter is usually sent about the 10 th each
month. Please distribute copies of mailed newsletter or
color newsletter that is e-mailed. New names are welcome
for mail or email list. Congregations may forward the
newsletter by email to the congregation’s email list. This
Messenger newsletter is a service of Area Ministry 5
ELCA.