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| Welcome |
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Welcome to the Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Website.
Prairie Faith Shared Ministry (PFSM) consists of six Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) congregations on the Kansas Praire in Trego, Ellis, and Ness Counties; Bethlehem, Immanuel, Zion and Emanuel in Trego County, Saint John in Ellis County, and Our Redeemer in Ness County. PFSM is served by two ordained ministers and one intern. The PFSM office is located at 338 N. 7th Street in WaKeeney (785-743-2005).
"Blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord!" |
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| Message from Intern Toby |
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I wonder if we can truly leave something with no regrets. We try things in our lives like sports or jobs and at some point in time have to retire from them. We meet people and are born into relationships and at some point in time retire from those. We are tested, and when the test is over we are left with a grade and the reflection of everything leading up to that event and the test itself. But could we have done more? I think the answer to that question is yes. I know I always look back on things and think I could have done this or done that to improve. I never walk away from something and feel like I gave 100%. That is just me being as real as I think I can get. Not a very comforting thought is it?
The discomfort is compounded when I reflect upon my serving the Lord. I finish each day knowing that day, I was not measuring up to the echoes of Psalm 1:2 “but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.” The booming resound of this verse would make me quite deaf and ill if it were not for how Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 “Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” This verse helps to remind me to God alone be the Glory and power. If we think ourselves too capable or righteous then we toe the line, if not cross it, of idolizing ourselves and fancying ourselves gods. Yet there is a strange peace that comes with living with Paul’s thorn in our flesh. It is there that we come to understand better where we are and God’s grace in the world.
During my time with you all, or y’all, here in Kansas; I have come to know many of you. I have heard many of your stories and seen lives of faith. Yet I have not really gotten to know everyone. This I regret. However, in a way I have met a part of the body of Christ. Too often I think we view ourselves as individuals. I do believe I have met Prairie Faith during my time here. For none of us stands alone but is supported by the rest of the members of the Body. I have been truly blessed by knowing you all. I have grown and received so much from here, you all will never really know. And for what I walk away with, I praise God’s glorious name. I just pray that the Lord worked through me during my time here and if He did, let His name be praised!
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| Cookout in Honor of Intern Toby |
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May 11, 2008 a cookout in honor of Intern Toby Burk has been planned. Everyone is invited to attend – bring your hotdogs and buns and enjoy good food and good fellowship following the worship service at St. John Lutheran Church. Toby’s last Sunday with us is May 18, 2008. He will be heading out May 19. He said to tell everyone that his bed needs a good home, he doesn’t want to haul it back to Texas |
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| 2008—2009 INTERN -Ann Klavano |
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March 31, 2008 we received exciting news from Wartburg Theological Seminary informing Prairie Faith Shared Ministry of our new intern for 2008-2009. She plans on arriving the week of June 8– June 14. Her first Sunday to preach will be June 15. Ann writes:
I was born and raised in Pullman WA, a university town in the middle of wheat fields. My Dad taught veterinary medicine and my Mom was busy raising 4 children (I am the youngest). Since I have never married or had children, I have appreciated the chance to spend time with my nieces and nephews. My brother Bob teaches middle school math, my sister Beth is a reading tutor and my sister Ruth is a retired teacher. I think you can see a trend that I, alone, have not followed.
I graduated from college in Pullman and have since moved around the country some. I was at loose ends after college and spent some time studying and working in Seattle WA. When I decided to go to library school I moved to Austin TX. It was a great experience, but I hated the heat. I then spent 18 years working as a reference librarian at two colleges. One was in Dobbs Ferry NY and the other in western Iowa. Church has always been important to me, but during my time in Iowa I began feeling the call to seminary and work as a pastor. So, I came here to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. I did spend a year as an intern in Oconto WI. However, we decided that I needed more seasoning as a pastor, so I am glad to have the chance to come to Kansas. I am thankful I am coming to a detached site, so I can have a wide variety of responsibilities. This year I have been a supply pastor at several small churches which has been interesting.
My hobbies include reading, especially science fiction. I also have a special interest in science fiction TV and movies. I enjoy local history so look forward to learning more about western Kansas. I need to get more exercise so am doing more walking this year and am thinking about getting a bicycle. I have enjoyed the snow this winter and am glad I will still be in snow territory. My sister Ruth has taught overseas several times and I have been lucky enough to visit her in New Zealand and Tanzania. I was unable to visit her in China, but hope I may be able to visit her in Namibia. She is moving there this summer to teacher English as a Second Language at the Lutheran Seminary.
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