Prairie Faith Shared Ministry

Message from Intern Toby (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:34:16 GMT

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!

Cookout in Honor of Intern Toby (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:33:02 GMT

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

2008�2009 INTERN -Ann Klavano (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:29:16 GMT

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.

BLC Confirmation Sunday (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:27:21 GMT

Confirmation Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Everyone is encouraged to support them on this special day.
Congratulations Deven, Beth, Kayla, Cole, Alise, Nicole, & Angel.

PRAIRIE FAITH DIRECTORY (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:25:12 GMT

YOUR PORTRAIT IS NEEDED

The Olan Mills Consultants will be at three locations of Prairie Faith to take portraits for the Prairie Faith family directory as part of the 5th Anniversary celebration. All families from each congregation are needed for this directory. The pictures will be taken:

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 � 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.�Zion Lutheran Church
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 � 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.�Zion Lutheran Church
Monday, June 2, 2008 � 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.�Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 � 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.�Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Friday, June 13, 2008 � 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.�St. John Lutheran Church
Saturday, June 14, 2008 � 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.�St. John Lutheran Church

Directory Committee members or representatives began scheduling appointments on April 20th and will continue until May 11. If you are unable to schedule an appointment on one of those Sundays you may call a committee member:

To schedule an appointment at Zion call: Deloris Kraus at 743-6719
To schedule an appointment at Bethlehem call: Church Office�743-2005
To schedule an appointment at St. John call: Tom & Marcy McClelland �625-7060

The portraits will be put in the directory by congregation, however you may have your picture take at any of the three locations. If you will not be available to have your portrait taken such as college students, military personnel and home-bound persons you may send a recent photo. Do not submit color copies, instant camera images or ink jet printed photos and no professional photos (professional photos require a copyright release.) The size should be no larger than 4�X6�.

Please help your committee members by scheduling your appointment as soon as possible and don�t hesitate to volunteer. Volunteers will be needed at each location on the photography dates.

Prairie Faith Council Highlights (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:23:05 GMT

Pastors' Report
� Pastor John Binder will be pulpit supply on May 25 at BLC & Immanuel
� Pastor Randy vacation days June 8�June 13
� Pastor John attending a Parish Summit at Immanuel, Hoisington, Ks. Everyone is invited to attend. Register through the Synod Office
� Representative from a congregation forming a new shared ministry will be here May 6, 2008 at BLC, 7:30 p.m. to speak with members of PFSM. Everyone is invited to attend
Internship Committee
� Representative from each congregation will be needed for the 2008-2009 Internship committee
� New intern from Wartburg Seminary has been assigned, Ann Klavano. Her arrival date is set for June 8-June 14. First Sunday to preach is June 15. Pulpit supply needed for June 1
Old Business
� Dates have been set to take pictures for the directory. Signup period is April 20�May 11. Olan Mills will be making the reminder calls
� The parsonage at St. John is nearly furnished. Thanks to all who have so generously donated items. This will definitely help the new interns coming each year
New Business
� Larry Dietz presented and answered questions concerning liability issues. He will be checking with his insurance carriers about liability policies for PFSM
� The salary guidelines for pulpit supply from the Synod Office have increased. $125 for the first service, $30 for the second.
� Mileage reimbursement will increase to .505 per mile
� Potluck dinner at St. John May 11 for Toby
� Next joint service August 24 with potluck dinner. BLC will host
� The undesignated offering in August will be given to congregations forming a new shared ministry
Next meeting will be June 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Devotions will be given by Toni Armbruster.

Vacation Bible School (Announcements)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:21:01 GMT

Zion Lutheran Church
June 2�June 5
9:00 a.m. � 11:45 a.m.
June 5th Hot Dog lunch at noon.

St. John Lutheran Church
Thursday, May 29�6:00 p.m.�8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 30�6:00 p.m.�8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 31�9:30 a.m.�2:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 1, 2008�Children�s Day
Potluck following the service.

Youth News (Announcements)

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:41:42 GMT

Fair Trade Coffee
Fair Trade means that the producer (in this case Mayan coffee growers of Guatemala) receives a fair price for their product by dealing directly with sellers.

KAPEH UTZ translates from Mayan as �good coffee.� Coffee sold by KAPEH UTZ is Fair Trade and USDA Certified Organic. It is grown in the unique Heuhuetenango region of Guatemala by Mayan farmers. This coffee�s well-balanced flavor with its nutty undertones and crisp acidity is a result of the region�s climate and the fertile volcanic soil in which it�s grown. This distinctive process used in the preparation of this coffee also adds to its specialized flavor.

The PFSM Youth are selling KAPEH UTZ whole bean coffee for $10.00 per 1# bag. $7.00 of this goes to producing the coffee, $2.00 to PFSM Youth, and $1.00 to fund water projects in rural Guatemala that help provide villages with access to water for agriculture and daily living. If you wish to purchase a bag, contact any PFSM youth member or Mary Cunningham.

USED CELL PHONE FUNDRAISER
Did you know the average home has 1-2 cell phones not in use? PFSM Youth are accepting donations of used cell phones and turning them in for cash for our trip to New Orleans next year. Drop off locations are Rural Telephone and Tom's Electronics, or give to any youth member.

BLC Midweek Meals for April
April 2�Soft & hard Tacos, Applesauce, Cake, Milk
April 9�Sloppy Joes, Chips, Relishes, Pudding, Milk
April 16�BBQ Meatballs, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Cookie, Milk
April 23�No Midweek�Pee Wee Track Meet
April 30�End of Year Bash�Grilled Hamburgers,Hot dogs, Chips, Relishes, Milk �BLC council will prepare the meal
Check the signup sheets�Volunteers are needed to help with meal preparation for the month of April.

BLC Midweek Schedule Change
Midweek will not be held April 23 due to the Pee Wee Track Meet.

BLC Midweek School End of Year Bash
April 30, 2008
6:00 p.m.�Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, songs, and games.

21st Annual Assembly - Central States Synod, ELCA (Announcements)

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:37:38 GMT

June 5-8, 2008 -- Renaissance Hotel -- St. Louis, Mo.
Mark your calendars, registration material has arrived.
Registration Deadline�May 2, 2008
Each church needs to send 2 voting members, 1 male and 1 female!

5th Anniversary Celebration Service (Announcements)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:00:23 GMT

March 30, 2008�St. John Lutheran Church

We will begin our celebration with fellowship at 9:30 a.m. with a joint service led by the Prairie Faith Youth at 10:30 a.m. Installation of the Prairie Faith council will held at this service.

Our former Interns send their greetings� (Announcements)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:59:15 GMT

Dear Friends,
First and foremost, I want to congratulate you during this special time in which you celebrate your 5th year as Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. It�s funny how time can play tricks on us, isn�t it? For me, time seems to have sped by since my time as an intern pastor with you. On the other hand, it creeps by oh so slowly! As I now wait for a call to a parish (or parishes) of my own, I wonder how much longer this seminary process can drag on. Yet at the same time, both Gemayel and I are quite anxious about our immediate future- where will that call to ministry lead us?

During my time with you last year, I think most of you could tell pretty easily that I felt a similar tension. I was quite lonely when Gemayel and I were separated for long periods of time. But on the other hand, I grew to truly love my time out in Western Kansas. I got to hear many of your stories. I visited some of you in the hospital and had the chance to hear how bad (or good) the hospital food tasted (evidently this was proportional with the amount of time they kept you off solid foods!). Some of you even made sure there was always gasoline in the generator when that big ice storm hit around the end of 2006 and Ellis lost power for a few days. That was one of the times Gemayel was there with me. We still joke to this day how we�ll always remember our first anniversary. We spent it without electricity because of that big �old ice storm. Never in a million years did Gemayel and I ever think we�d have memories like that. Now we wouldn�t trade them for the world.

Isn�t it bizarre how things often turn out? I wonder how many of you ever would have guessed you�d even be part of a shared ministry. Many of you shared with me stories from your past and how you grew up in the church or how you became Lutheran from another denomination or how you�ve come back to the church after time away. I wonder what you would have said to your pastor in 1978 if he would have told you that in 30 years you�d be part of a vibrant ministry that spans nearly seventy miles and works cooperatively with five other congregations other than your own! I wonder what your ancestors who founded your congregation would say if they knew you were worshipping in English!
Prairie Faith Shared Ministry taught me many valuable lessons about what it means to be a minister in God�s church today. You taught me how to be a pastor who listens to what God�s people are saying. And, if I could be so bold, I think you also learned from me and all your interns who served you in the past. Prairie Faith should pride itself in this achievement, your 5th anniversary. Continue to guide your ministers who walk with you throughout the years. And continue to be open to the Spirit�s nudging to all the wonderful possibilities for ministry that you may have never even considered! I wish you all God�s blessing and peace.

Yours In Christ, Chris Heinold

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With fond memories of our time together I�m writing to offer my congratulations as you celebrate the fifth anniversary of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. It was a joy for me to be sitting at the table as you planned and made preparation for the formation of this ministry that ensures your future faith life together.
There are shared ministries in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that have developed since I have been called to the Northern Great Lakes Synod. The congregations that have come together remain active communities of faith because of their willingness to share resources. This is the same model you envisioned years ago and one that has not only been successful for you but has impacted the lives of others. As you celebrate your special time, you should also be applauded for taking the bold steps forward that have motivated others to follow in your footsteps.

Blessings and Peace,\
Pastor Barry Levine

Hello good people of PFSM!
Congratulations on reaching #5. God is truly blessed. Your mission in western Kansas is blessed! Keep on keepin' on preaching the Gospel.

I am currently the interim pastor at the Tri-county Lutheran parish in Lodgpole-Chappell-Oshkosh, NE. Very similar to the PFSM model as I get to work with a staff including one licensed PMA, one PMA-in-training as well as office staff. It truly is a blessing to be able to have this time to build on evangelizing God's great finished job of reconciling the world to himself in Christ! Praise the Lord!

I have placed on my calendar August 24 as the date I plan to be with you to celebrate your accomplishment. In the meantime, as St. Paul says: "Rejoice in the Lord always and again...REJOICE!"

Cordially,
Pastor Tim Rahn

�Twas the Night Before Prairie Faith�
�Twas the night of assignments, and all through the room
Came shouts of excitement, and sad moans of gloom.
I opened the note and said, �You�re kidding me!�
You�re sending me to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry?!�
We packed up the U-Haul and drove the interstate maze
And got to the house, twenty miles from Hays.
DJ and Amanda gave us the keys
Then off they went, just as quick as you please!
Once settled in, I called Pastor Randy,
Who said if I needed him, he would be handy.
Six churches, three counties, milo and pheasants,
Turned in to an experience incredibly pleasant.
There were prayers to pray and sermons to preach,
Visits to make, confirmation to teach.
I learned to play pinochle and rode on a combine
Sat at your tables, invited to dine.
Bill and I roamed from the east to the west.
Each new place we saw, we liked it the best.
The Garden of Eden, A big ball of twine,
The Barbed Wire Museum, that was just fine.
There were bones of a dinosaur, a small stegosaurus?
And an evening of music with Jon�s barbershop chorus.
I thought I was going to lawnmower races,
But instead I was greeted with your happy faces.
Happy Birthday! You shouted, and believe it or not,
I was struck speechless on that very spot.
We felt so at home, went hunting for deer.
Put roots down in Zurich, so we can stay near.
You better believe the wind always blew,
The Holy Spirit amongst us, faithful and true.
I was the student, I was the pastor,
The calendar turned faster and faster�
You gave me your patience, your teaching, your love
You prepared me to share the gifts from above.
The year was amazing, happy and blest,
Prairie Faith Shared Ministry, you are the best.
Pastor Suellen Bahleda

A Journey of Spirals and Corkscrews
One minute you�re up, next you�re down. One second you�re upside down, next you�re right side up. One moment you�re spiraling out of control, next you�re in a corkscrew at remarkable speeds. One second your nerves are on edge, anticipating what is about to come, next your stomach is in your throat because of the drastic change in course. One minute fear grips you as the slow clink, clink, clink sounds like a cadence marching you to your doom, next you�re screaming with both joy and shock as you pummel downwards and around the corners to the end of the journey. Roller coasters! They can leave you feeling absolutely exhilarated, or absolutely sick.

What a metaphor for life! Let me take you along for a bit on the roller coaster of my life. Amanda and I started the process to adopt a child a little over a year ago. It is something we have been thinking about for a few years and wanted to start once we were settled in one place for some time. Lo, and behold, ELCB calls me to be pastor, and Amanda and I find ourselves finally settling down after five years of constant transition. As we settle down here in Bateman, we start investigating the prospects of adoption. As things usually go, we become overwhelmed with excitement as we meet with the adoption agency and learn about what our process will be like. Knowing we want to adopt from another country, the first decision to make is which country. After investigating our possibilities with the agency, nothing jumped out at us as the one. So, we reflected some more and decided to pursue an adoption with an African country. We learned of a few people in the local area who have adopted children from Ethiopia, so we picked their brain for a long time and decided to pursue Ethiopia as well. Excitement overwhelms us again.

After learning more about an adoption agency in Washington State that deals with Ethiopia and submitting our application material to them, our excitement is met with disappointment as we discover that our application is put on a three to four month waiting list before it is considered. Thus begins the wait. Five months later we receive a letter from the agency indicating that our application is being considered, and included are instructions on what to work on. So, with our excitement mounting up again, we diligently and quickly work on what they need. At this point I am daydreaming of what is about to become a reality to us. I could not help but be thrilled, because this has been something we talked about for so long and is now finally coming to fruition. Though no official word was given to us, I was guessing that once we submitted our dossier, we could anticipate a child placed in our home about nine months later. Anticipating a trip to Ethiopia to bring home our first child, I was expecting 2008 to be a big, exciting year.

Then, just as we were finishing our home study and putting the final touches on our dossier, we received word that once our dossier was submitted, we could expect a child in our home in another 18 months. Eighteen months!!! After all of that waiting, we weren�t even halfway there?? Disappointment overwhelms me.

Days later, amidst the crushing disappointment, our roller coaster went into a spiral and a twist. Amanda approaches me with the news that she is pregnant. Tests confirm it. Doctors confirm it. Life changes again. The news is bittersweet. On the one hand, we have been trying for so long and finally it happens. On the other hand, we are so far into the adoption process that we fear having to start it all over again and lose yet another year and a half. Our local agency informed us that if a pregnancy occurs, the adoption gets put on hold. Expecting that to be the case, I met the news of Amanda�s pregnancy with mixed emotions.

Time progresses. We wait to submit our dossier until we know our baby is developing in an expected fashion. More doctors visits, then the news comes that everything is going well with our child. My excitement is very real, yet also very reserved as I know the time has come to inform our adoption agency of the news. I already know what they are going to say. �Congratulations. Now we are going to have to put the adoption on hold.� However, we are on a roller coaster, after all, and we are not done riding it yet. Rounding another corner upside down, we hear the adoption agency say we can still proceed with the adoption after all�that it is completely up to us whether or not we want to put it on hold. Bewilderment and excitement grips us.

You have just witnessed on of the many roller coasters I have been riding. That�s the way life goes, isn�t it. Up and down. Upside down and right side up. Slow, steady incline before the drastic, gut-wrenching drop. Twists and turns, spirals and corkscrews. We are all on our roller coasters. They are a test of faith, these roller coasters. They jar us, bump us, throw us around, put us in positions that are unnatural, and they always test our endurance. The journey of faith is interwoven in every roller coaster we ride, whether it be parenthood, career, retirement, school, board member, or citizen. Thanks be to God that the track on which we ride is anchored on the love and mercy of Almighty God. The roller coaster is anchored on the solid foundation of Christ�s Passion, so that no matter what kind of twists and turns you and I experience, the track will never break and the foundation will never crack�even though sometimes it feels like it might. I thank God for presence on this journey of faith, for the child that grows in Amanda�s womb, and for the child in Ethiopia that does not yet exist that we will call ours.
Pastor D. J. Rasner

Wanted-St. John Pics (Announcements)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:51:06 GMT

Old pictures & articles of interest of St John�s Lutheran Church. We are needing pictures inside & outside of the building or buildings, including old schoolhouse, barn, chicken house. We are compiling data for use in filing an application with the State Historical Society in order for our church to be included on the State & National Historic Register. Submit items to Marcy McClelland. Label all items with name & address of owner so that they can be returned. Items will be photocopied for use in the application. DEADLINE APRIL 1

PFSM Joint Anniversary Service (Announcements)

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:34:52 GMT

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The Prairie Faith Shared Ministry has been blessed by God our Father with five years of opportunities to worship, teach and evangelize. We, the current member churches of Prairie Faith are excited about this special time in our ministry.

The joint service will be held August 24, 2008 at Bethlehem Lutheran in WaKeeney at 10:30 a.m. followed by a dinner. Bishop Mansholt will be preaching.

All former interns have been invited to attend one or both celebrations. Hopefully they will be able to honor us with their presence at one of the celebrations. We look forward to hearing from them.

Goodsearch.com (Announcements)

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 15:42:46 GMT

How many times a week do you use an Internet search engine like Yahoo!, Google, or Ask.com? For many people, the answer is probably �A whole bunch.�

What if Lutheran Disaster Response earned a penny every time you performed such a search? Now it�s possible. GoodSearch.com is a new search Web site that donates half of its revenue (about one penny per search) to the charity of the searcher�s choice. You use it just as you would any search engine, and GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo! So you are guaranteed good search results.

To start using GoodSearch, go to www.goodsearch.com You will see two boxes�the search box and a box that says �Who do you GoodSearch for?� Simply enter �LDR� and start searching. You can even download a GoodSearch toolbar (www.goodsearch.com/toolbar) for your Internet browser so that you have a search function always at your fingertips. A penny for every search may not seem like much. . .but imagine if 1,000 people searched twice each day using GoodSearch. Over the course of a year, LDR would make over $7000.

GoodSearch makes it easy to support your favorite non-profit organization. . .all you have to do is something you already do anyway. Please spread the word about GoodSearch, and start searching for Lutheran Disaster Response today!