The Torchbearer There s a Place for you at the Table Saint Aidan s is a parish which has always punched above its weight limit. The Adult Forum, Lenten Program, and children s programs all provide opportunities to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord. During the past year Saint Aidan s has ministered to the community through financially supporting and volunteering at the Food Pantry at Saint Paul s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Kansas, serving the community meal through the Johnson County Food Ministry at the Center of Grace on a Table of Contents: Step Up, Step In, Step Out Upcoming Events: Save the Dates Jo Co NAACP Gumbo Fest 2/18 Youth: Miqra 2/18 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 2/28 Youth Social: A Special Invitation 3/5 St. Pat s Day Gala & Silent Auction 3/18 Annual Meeting (1/29) Guest Speakers Winds of Harmony Chili & Soup Luncheon Vestry Members Diocesan Delegates New Children s Ministry Director Creative Outreach Stewardship: White and Wonderful Gwen Starmer Honored by DAR February-March ROTA February Birthdays/Anniversaries Vestry/Worship Schedule Step Up, Step In, Step Out 1 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 monthly basis, packing and delivering BackSnacks for five area elementary schools on a weekly basis during the school year, supporting Briarwood Elementary School, and purchasing and delivering Christmas presents through Angel Tree for ten area children who have an incarcerated parent. The good people of Saint Aidan s also gather for hospitality and social time after worship, and for special occasions such as the Saint Patrick s Day Dinner, Derby Days, Pie Day, and the Feast of Saint Aidan. We have much to be thankful for, but the truth is that we have the resources, we have the opportunity, and we have the power through the Holy Spirit to do much, much more. And it all begins with a three-part formula: Step Up, Step In, and Step Out. STEP UP A parish is in many ways a large family, but it is more than just one family. The
background music of every single parishioner is the totality of his or her own church experience. Individual perspectives on church worship and ministry invariably include actions and traditions which are not there but could be there. All of these expectations and experiences combine to make Saint Aidan s a better parish. The first step then to growing and maintaining a healthy parish is to step up and pay attention to what needs to be done to maintain the parish. Are there lay ministries such as chalice bearers or ushers which need volunteers? Do your experiences and personality make you a candidate for serving on a parish committee, such as Stewardship or Fellowship? Does the garden and grounds need tender loving care and the altar needs fresh flowers? Does an outreach ministry such as the Food Pantry need more volunteers? Rather than wait for somebody else to do it, step up and offer your time and talents to a ministry or outreach of the parish. The next stage in stepping up is to share what you think could be done to make the parish better. Be imaginative. Be creative. Be bold. Imagine what the parish could do with more resources, more prayer, more hope. As Bobby Kennedy said, There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not? Look around the parish, spend time in prayer, dream of the possibilities, step up and ask, why not? STEP IN Recognizing a need at the church building or an opportunity for a new outreach ministry is important, but it is only the first stage. The second stage is communication and implementation. When you have a notion or suggestions concerning how the church and her ministries could be improved, step in to the life and parish and seek ways to implement that idea. Speak with other parishioners, submit articles for the newsletter, inserts for the announcements, and posts for the church Facebook Page. You may discover that others have shared your idea, that there are kindred souls in your quest to make the parish better. Communication is an important first step, but it is not the final step in the second stage of making a parish better. Implementation of your suggestion is even more important. The bottom line is that when you see something that should be done, you share your ideas with others and then you take the lead in getting it done. Step in and become a leader. 2
Finally, part of stepping in involves the dreaded S word: Stewardship. Ministries cannot function without funding. Lessons cannot be taught, prayers cannot be proclaimed, gatherings cannot be held, and ministry cannot exist without solid sustained sacrificial support from the good people of Saint Aidan s. Step in and support the worship and ministries of the church financially. When you step in, do so with your heart and your hard cash. STEP OUT William Temple, the 98 th Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-44), is not remembered for his theology, nor for his leadership of the Church of England, but for one simple sentence: The Church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members. Think about it: the church exists to step out. Everything we do, whether it is worship or fellowship or outreach, is not and has never been for ourselves. When we gather as a community, when we worship, we are not guests, we are hosts. When we serve in Christ s name, we are not takers, we are givers. Through our Baptisms and reception of Communion at Holy Eucharist we become ministers, equipped to worship and serve in Christ s name as Christ served us. Step out to serve and to lead. And the best part is we don t do this by ourselves. Left all to ourselves we would ignore possibilities, become distracted, and turn our focus inward. But we can step out to a new life. In the life and ministry of Jesus God chose to step out into history to reconcile humanity to God and to each other. As baptized followers of Christ we have been infused with the Holy Spirit of God and born again in the ministry of Jesus. Because Jesus was faithful, we can be faithful. Because Jesus was diligent, we can be diligent. Because Jesus trusted in God when all else seemed lost, even on the cross especially on the cross - we can trust in God in good times and in bad. Paul emphasized to the Church in Ephesus that the power of God, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Together with that power and through that power we can make Saint Aidan s a great parish. Step up, step in, and step out for the worship, the ministries, and the good people of Saint Aidan s Episcopal Church. God bless all of you. Fr. Shawn + 3
Save the Dates!! Even though the dishes from the celebration after the Annual Meeting are still cooling in the dishwasher, more special days of religious significance and some of just plain fellowship are just around the corner at St. Aidan s. Be sure to put these dates on/ in your calendar: Saturday, February 18, 9:30 am: NE Convocation Meeting, St. Thomas the Apostle, Overland Park. Saturday, February 18 Monday, February 20: MIQRA, St. Michael s, Mission. Wednesday, February 22, 6 pm: Outreach Meeting, Sifers Hall. Saturday, February 25, 9 am noon: Vestry Retreat, St. Thomas the Apostle. Saturday, February 25, 6 pm: Altar Guild Training and Team Building (with games!) Tuesday, February 28: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 5:30 pm. Wednesday, March 1: Ash Wednesday; worship with imposition of ashes at 7 am, noon, and 7 pm. Tuesdays in Lent (March 7, 14, 21, and 28) starting at 6 pm: Lenten Program Socrates in the City with light suppers, video presentation, and invigorating conversation. Saturday, March 18: St. Patrick s Day Dinner and Silent Auction. Sunday, April 9: Palm Sunday. Holy Eucharist with Procession of the Palms at 10 am. Thursday, April 13: Maundy Thursday; worship at 7 pm with solemn stripping of the altar. Friday, April 14: Good Friday; worship at noon and 7 pm. Sunday, April 16: Easter Sunday; Festive Eucharist at 10 am, followed by All- Parish Luncheon hosted by the Church Basement Ladies and Celebration of the Lord s Resurrection. Saturday, May 7: Derby Days 4
MIQRA Saturday, February 18, at 1 pm to Monday, February 20, at 10:30 am February 28 in Sifers Hall 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tickets $5 for individuals; $12 for families of three or more! Tickets can be purchased from any Vestry member either before or after Worship. Please join us as we clean the larders of fat and sugar in preparation for Lent!!! Invite your friends and neighbors for fellowship, fun, sausages, pancakes and maple syrup!!! Miqra is held at St. Michael and All Angels, 6630 Nall Ave, Mission, KS (Both Junior & Senior High at the same location, we alternate splitting the groups every-other year.) This is for Grades 6-12 Fee: $60 ( Someone s very first youth even, they pay only $20. Priority Deadline: Monday, February 10, 2017 (price increases by $15 after this date) Registration forms: Youth and Adults can sign up for Miqra at: https://edok.formstack.com/ forms/miqra2017. MIQRA (meek-rah) is a weekend retreat that focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what s in it, why we should care, and how to read it. MIQRA is a Hebrew word, which means reading, and refers to the ancient Jewish practice of gathering at the local synagogue to hear a public reading of scripture. We read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation in 72 hours! The reading is voluntary and participants take turns reading in shifts around the clock. Lots of fun things happen at Miqra! We play wacky games and have a movie night. We worship and attend Bible study workshops. Those who attend also meet with a small group several times to make friends and talk about what they re discovering about the Bible through the event. 5
YOUTH: A SPECIAL INVITATION! An Invitation from the Rev. Doreen Rice and St. Francis of Assisi The St. Francis and St. Michael's Youth are joining together for a joint social event on Sunday, March 5 from 3-6 p.m. We'd like to invite St. Aidan's, too! We will meet at St. Francis (17890 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park) on that day for outdoor activities (if the weather cooperates) including sitting around our large fire pit and playing Ga-Ga in our new Ga-Ga pit. Just like at Mega Camp. We will also have pizza and Evening Prayer around the fire. If possible, please chip in $4 or $5 for the food. If not, no problem. Please see Fr. Shawn for more details, and a special thanks to the Rev. Doreen Rice and St. Francis for extending the kind invitation!! St. Patrick s Day Gala & Silent Auction on March 18! Starting at 6:30 pm, Dinner at 7ish. Please donate an Auction item! How about one of these ideas? A gift certificate from a favorite restaurant Ask a business for a donation A bottle of favorite vino Create a fun gift basket Create a handmade craft A piece of artwork Homemade goodies Dinner in your home Your skill A service If you can donate an item, please contact Jackie Scott at jackie4623@gmail.com or (913 226.5969) by March 2, 2017, with the description of the item and its monetary value. Tax contribution statements are available from Fr. Shawn. Thank you for your support! 6
February 2017 Annual Meeting... The Annual Meeting was led by Father Robert Shawn Streepy. The attendees were blessed by guest speakers from the many community outreach organizations that St. Aidan s supports with time, energy and goods. Guest Speakers were Jeff Porter from Center of Grace, Larry McGraw from Angel Tree and Ross Warnell from St. Paul s Food Pantry. Representing the Olathe School District was Heather Schooner, along with Jessica Dahmer, the counselor from Rolling Ridge Elementary, and Nicole Becker, the counselor from Northview Elementary. (l/r) Heather Schoonover, Jessica Dahmer, Nicole Becker Jeff Porter Larry McGraw Ross Warnell Winds of Harmony The Winds of Harmony blessed us with special music during worship on January 29th. Chili and Soup Luncheon Provided by the Church Basement Ladies Everyone enjoyed the Luncheon after the Annual Meeting. There was a great selection of soups and chili to choose from. 7
Vestry Members Honored at Annual Meeting February 2017 Sadly for retiring Vestry members Rob Coultis and Kathie Kleeman, the Parish By-Laws mandate that after three years of service on the Vestry, a member must take a leave of absence for at least one year. It is therefore with heavy hearts that Kathie and Rob must resume their lives as mild mannered ordinary parishioners and no longer share a Wednesday evening once a month with a great group of fellow parishioners on the Vestry discussing all of the details of running a parish: finances and lawn mowers and church inventories and dead squirrels. Kathie served as Senior Warden this past year and was one of the prime movers behind the successful Great Garage Sale in August; Rob has served as both Senior Warden and Junior Warden, and can always be counted on when something suddenly inexplicably doesn t work anymore. We appreciated their selfless service, we commend their love of God and neighbor, and we hope to see them again once their imposed exile has concluded (Kathie and Rob: just kidding!! We love you both!). We are excited to welcome our new vestry candidates, Gloria Kelley and Richard Grove. Diocesan Delegates Our New Diocesan Delegates are Carrie Wilson and Sarah Smith. Paul Reed will serve as an alternate. Retiring Diocesan Delegate, Don Seifert was honored by St. Aidan s for his faithful service as our Diocesan Delegate for 2016. 8
New Children s Ministry Director Our new Children s Ministry Director is Amber Baker. Please welcome her into the St. Aidan s family. Creative Outreach The Creative Outreach team made valentines for the shut-ins at their January meeting. White and wonderful A friend discovered snow skiing in his adult years and jokingly said he finally figured out what winter was for. From the slopes, he observed, the whole world is white and wonderful. Depending on your particular location, you may have a lot of white and wonderful stuff, or none at all. In whatever case, winter is the time of preparation for the coming spring, the rebirth of our earth. With the lengthening days and the promise of warmer times ahead, we thank you for your generous support of our church community and wish you a warm home, peaceful days and continued growth in faith. 9
Gwen Starmer Honored By DAR February 2017 A Tea Honoring Gwen Starmer 75 Years of Service The Olathe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a Tea honoring Gwen Jones Starmer for 75 years of service on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Community Bible Church. Gwen was presented with a 75 year pin, a certificate for her years of service, and the following remarks: Gwen - you have been a symbol of graciousness, leadership, and what a true Daughter of the American Revolution should be. Gwen was so appreciative of the lovely gathering and said, It is a red letter day for me. Thank you all. Gwen s mother and grandmother also belonged to the Chapter; she has precious memories of attending meetings with them. 10
ROTA February 2017 ROTA Chalice Bearers Lectors Intercessor Ushers LEV Counters 2/5 Tom Mencer Neil Powers Barb Don & Janet Jan Barb Belt Paul Reed Sarah Smith Belt Seifert Frye-Gable Michele Greene 2/12 Carolyn Sturgeon Barb Belt Clarice Paul & Jill Tim Rob Coultis Don Seifert Gwen Starmer Ewing Reed Tatlock Nikki Crowell 2/19 Jane Bush Clarice Ewing Chris Tom & Kathy Karon Jackie Scott Sarah Smith Karon Wintrode Burbach Mencer Wintrode Kurt Gordon 2/26 Roger Ewing Joe Fossati Gloria Sherry Suddarth Tom Don Seifert Paul Reed Mark Sappenfield Kelley Shirley Sanders Mencer Jan Frye-Gable 3/5 Ben Strain Karon Wintrode Roger Rob & Sandra Karon Jackie Scott Mike Belt Gwen Starmer Ewing Coultis Wintrode Michele Greene 3/12 Sarah Smith Neil Powers Clarice Tom & Kathy Jan Barb Belt Don Seifert Gloria Kelley Ewing Mencer Frye-Gable Rob Coultis 3/19 Jane Bush Mark Sappenfield Jackie Dave Scott Tim Jan Frye-Gable Ben Strain Karon Wintrode Scott Sandra Coultis Tatlock Don Seifert 3/26 Roger Ewing Sarah Smith Carolyn Kathie Kleeman Tom Gloria Kelley Mike Belt Gwen Starmer Sturgeon Nikki Crowell Mencer Rich Grove ALTAR GUILD Feb. 5: Emily Frye & Clarice Ewing Feb. 12: Jan Frye-Gable & Kathie Kleeman Feb. 19: Carrie Wilson & Nikki Crowell Feb. 26: Karon Wintrode Mar. 5: Emily Frye & Clarice Ewing Mar. 12: Jan Frye-Gable & Kathie Kleeman Mar. 19: Carrie Wilson & Nikki Crowell Mar. 26: Karon Wintrode CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES Feb. 5: Clarice Ewing Feb. 12: Dave Scott Feb. 19: Michele Greene Feb. 26: Sandra Coultis Mar. 5: Carolyn Sturgeon Mar. 12: Janet Seifert Mar. 19: Darlene Kincaid Mar. 26: Marcia Streepy Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10b 11
Birthdays 1 Kathleen McGowan 5 Jeff Wintrode 6 Lynn DePew 11 Ruth Henderson 11 Doug Mays 20 Kathy McDaniel 21 Alva Arnold 21 Kathy Mencer Anniversary 11 Don & Janet Seifert Sr. Warden: Kathie Kleeman Jr. Warden: Kurt Gordon Treasurer: Tim Tatlock Asst. Treasurer: Roger Ewing Clerk: Carolyn Sturgeon 2/14 President s Day - Observed: 2/20 Abraham Lincoln s Birthday 2/12 George Washington s Birthday 2/22 Rob Coultis Jackie Scott Ruth Henderson Nikki Crowell Barb Belt Michele Greene This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. 1 John 5:3 Sunday 9 am Adult Forum Sunday School 10 am Holy Eucharist Children s Church & Nursery Saturday 5 pm Holy Eucharist The Torchbearer is published monthly by: St Aidan s Episcopal Church 14301 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 E-mail: staidansolathe@sbcglobal.net 913-764-3050 Website: www.st.aidansolathe.org Facebook Page: St. Aidan s Episcopal Church in Olathe, KS Twitter: St. Aidan s Olathe @staidansolathe Robert Shawn Streepy, Rector Editor: Sharon Seidel Photography: Nikki Crowell 12