WELCOME

Welcome to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Located in north central Kansas, six ELCA Lutheran congregations have stepped out in faith to enter into a truly shared ministry. We strive to provide the best tools for our members to grow as disciples of Christ and to proclaim the Good News of Christ within our communities and throughout the world. We hope you will join us at one of our churches for service on Sunday to experience for yourself the fellowship of Christ.

Many of us miss coming together to be with our fellow Christians. So what if we took this time of pandemic and used it to get to know one another better? What if we had a chance to visit and share thoughts about our faith and life as Christians in this time and place? Let’s do it safely in small groups. Let’s start by meeting Wednesday August 5 at 6:00 to pick topics, days, times etc. We can meet in the church basement so that we can keep our social distance. Masks encouraged.

What would we talk about? Here are some ideas to get you started thinking...What is your favorite passage in the Bible? Can you think of a time of suffering in which God made a difference? How does God make a difference in your daily life? Can you think of a time you experienced grace? Or when God felt present, or absent? What does it mean to follow Jesus in our society, or in your life?

We all have questions about how our faith is lived out (or not) in our lives. We all have questions and we all have experiences as people of faith. Why don’t we get together and talk about those things? We could get together in smaller groups, at a time that we can agree on, and discuss anything we would like to discuss about faith and life as we know it. We could gather together as people of faith and get to know one another. We might even be able to do something with Zoom!

Can we talk about our faith out loud? Come and give it a try. Invite your friends. 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 5 at BLC.

We ENCOURAGE people to follow the CDC guidelines, wear masks, and social distance during services. Thank you for helping our churches maintain a safe environment. All 6 PFSM churches will start in – person services on JUNE 7, 2020, at their normal times.

It is important to remember during these times of “social distancing” that we are all together in our love of God and our love of the mission at PFSM. Despite our temporary Coronavirus suspension of most church activities, we will continue to pay our bills, meet our monthly obligations, and care for our Staff and employees just as they care for you and our church facilities. To that end, we ask everyone to remember to give your offering as you normally would each month. If you want you can drop it off at the PFSM office or mail it to:

PFSM

338 N. 7^th St.

WaKeeney, KS 67672

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

 338 N 7th Street
WaKeeney, KS 67672

Emanuel Lutheran Church

 27037 Highway 147
 Ogallah, KS 67656

Immanuel Lutheran Church

 438 N Main Street
 WaKeeney, KS 67672

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

 510 E Cedar Street
 Ness City, KS 67560

St. John Lutheran Church

 394 St John - St Andrew Rd

Ellis, KS 67637

Zion Lutheran Church

27001 283 Hwy

WaKeeney, KS 67672 

MidWeek is open to ALL children and adults in the area.  It begins @ 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening (September-April) with a delicious meal prepared by Ruth Shiltz, Margaret Schmitt, and Doris Hafliger.  After the meal around 6:30 p.m, the children have music with Marlene Long & Kerah Deines. Then, from 6:45-7:30p.m. the children have their religion classes. Also during the children's class, there is an adult bible study group in the church library room from 6:30-7:30p.m. Parents are encouraged to eat with their children and then head to their bibly study while their kids are learning about God!  Adult Bible Study is open to everyone in the community, not just members of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Volunteers for MidWeek are ALWAYS needed and appreciated!! It’s going to be a great school year full of learning and fun!

Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council Minutes

The regular meeting of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Council was held June 17, 2020 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

The following churches and representatives were in attendance: Bethlehem – Richard Jensen & Margaret Schmit; St. John – Bob Schonthaler & Katie Dreiling(absent); Immanuel – Raymond Rumpel(absent) & Donna Deines; Emanuel – Larry Pearson(absent) & Kathleen Fabrizius(absent); Our Redeemer – Tonya Fenley(absent) & Joe Lutters(absent); Zion – John Fabrizius(absent) & Curt Fabrizius(absent)

Also in attendance was Pastor Randy Gibbs, Pastor Jon Anderson, Pastor Kim Frederking. Devotions were given by Margaret Schmitt

• The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved

• The treasurer’s report was approved as printed. Richard Jensen reported on the PPP loan/grant that we received. Discussed the steps being taken to keep the funds separate and the documentation of where all monies are being spent.

  Staff Reports

• Pastor Randy told us that he has purchased a house and is having work done to make it handicap accessible. Plans are to move sometime in July and work from there. He has been in discussions with the financial people from Portico about his retirement. He has contacted the Bishop concerning the procedures to follow for the search of a new pastor. He will let us know at the next meeting his retirement date.

  Still live streaming worship services from Immanuel at 9:00 a.m., not sure how long this will continue.

• Pastor Jon has not been streaming his worship services the last to Sundays, but plans to in the future and they will be posted to YouTube. His health is well and following the guidelines. Pastors are still not allowed in the hospital and nursing homes.

• Pastor Kim is facetiming with residents at Good Sam and making phone calls and sending notes to shut-ins. She has been building relationships with the other pastors in the area, attended a prayer vigil at the Methodist Church in Ellis to pray for racial justice and healing. Will continue with children’s sermons on Wednesday posted to Facebook. Not streaming worship services at this time. July 13-July 19 Pastor Kim will be on vacation, a lay leader will be dong worship at St. John and Emanuel will not have services. July 26 will be Worship, Cruise, and BBQ at St. John. They will be dedicating their new sign at this service. August 7^th & 8^th St. John will hold Overnight Vacation Bible School.

• Parish Nurse Report - Nancy was unable to attend the meeting. Pastor Randy highlighted that homemade fabric masks can be requested if someone wishes to use one and does not have one. Gail Jensen has generously offered to sew masks for PFSM congregations to have on hand for church members. Parish Nurse services will be cutting back due to financial concerns that were reported at the last meeting. The next health ministry advisory board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 5:30.Visitors are welcome.

Communications

• none

Old Business

• Worship services continue to be on Facebook: 9:00 a.m. for Pastor Randy, Pastor Jon will post to YouTube

• Will not be purchasing Zoom for meetings at this time. If council meetings cannot be held in-person will contact the Synod Office to use their Zoom membership.

• Congregations did not have to pay May membership dues and only half the dues for June.

New Business

• Since we are streaming live worship services PFSM will need to purchase a copyright license for hymns that are sung. We will do this for all congregations thru OneLicense. Cost will be based on the total average attendance.

• Rotation Sunday will be June 28^th

• A Joint Outdoor Service has tentatively been set for August 16 at WaKeeney Water Park. Will be contacting the Halbleib Band to play for the service.

The next PFSM council meeting will be August 4^th at 7:30 p.m. at Bethlehem,. Pastor Kim will have devotions.

Look at Our Photos

Come see a slideshow of the 2014 Vacation Bible School, the April Joint Service, and the 2014 Live Nativity - get a glimpse of the activities that take place at PFSM. Check out the video of past Joint Reformation Services posted under Prairie Faith Memories Photos.

Meet Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

Come to the About Us section to meet the church leadership, and find out what we're all about!