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.

All donations from the "Unbaked" potato bar will go to Pastor Jon and Laura to help with expenses incurred with Pastor Jon's recent kidney transplant. If you're unable to attend, you may mail your donation to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 338 N. 7th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672. Pastor Jon and Laura do so much for our community, so help us show how much we appreciate them!

Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Some of the following rules may be in effect at the different church locations: (1) Council will wipe down all high-touch areas (2) signs on the pews will designate which ones to use (3) we will try to have masks available for those who aren’t wearing one (4) anyone with health issues and those with compromised health systems, please stay home. 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 April 28, 2020 via zoom.

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

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

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved

The treasurer’s report was approved as printed.

Staff Reports

Staff reports were given. They shared that they are doing everything they can to stay in contact with their congregations, calls, texts, etc…. They are still have services recorded and put onto the FB pages and Website.

Parish Nurse Report –

Health Ministry Lenten Calendar--several of us worked up a Lenten calendar with daily suggestions for whole-person wellness. It was available through the PFSM newsletter, each of the PFSM churches, at Wednesday Lenten services, United Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church.

AA meetings are on pause right now. The group leader is available by phone if anyone needs to talk and by email. The plan is to resume regular meetings at BLC when the stay-at-home order is over.

The purchase order for the public transportation van was submitted to KDOT this past Friday.

Parish nurse visits are down to very few home visits, Nancy wears a mask, asks the person the appropriate risk questions. Trying to keep in touch with people by phone or mail--regular contacts plus anyone who might be a requested contact. If someone requires medical appointment transportation during this time, Nancy would follow this same protocol.

Homemade fabric masks can be requested if someone wishes to use one and does not have one. (Mask information is in the May newsletter.

Next health ministry advisory board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 5:30. Visitors are welcome. Needs for the Parish Nurse Ministry remain the same as listed on March parish nurse report.

Communications

Thank you from Pastor Jon for the funds he received for his medical expenses

Old Business

The health insurance is locked in for this year. All pastors must be on the same level. This can be revisited for next year’s budget.

New Business

Services continue to be on FaceBook: 9:00 a.m. for Pastor Randy, 10:45 a.m. for Pastor Jon, and 10:30 a.m. for Pastor Kim.

Discussed purchasing Zoom which would approximately be $150 per year. To be used by PFSM council and the individual congregation councils. PFSM council members will check with the individual church councils to see if they would find this useful

Richard Jensen was able to apply for a PPP loan for PFSM. The loan has been applied for and approved. The loan amount is $34,100. to be used for 11 line items in the budget. The loan will be for 2 years and if we meet all the requirements the loan will be turned into a grant and will not need to be repaid. The PFSM council decided to participate in the PPP loan program and authorized Richard Jensen to review and sign the loan documents and open a separate checking account to segregate the funds.

Discussed the forgiveness of individual church membership dues for 1 month. Decision will hinge on the PPP loan

Discussed the governor’s guidelines for reopening.

May 31st St John will be having a drive-in service with individual packaged communion.

The next PFSM council meeting will be June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Bethlehem or by Zoom. Margaret Schmitt 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!