THE PRESBYTERIAN

                                      The Presbyterian Church of Garden City Newsletter 275-9141 June 13, 2007

 

Mission Statement

       As faithful members of the Presbyterian Church of Garden City, Kansas, we accept God’s call to be involved in the ministry of God’s church.

 Our mission is a twofold responsibility; to nurture and support our local church; and to follow Christ’s call to serve in the world, thereby proclaiming the Gospel to all. 

 

Pastor’s Prose

 

Dear Friends,

     Eleven weeks ago I moderated our Session meeting (March 26) and the following day we went to Dodge City where I was to receive a stint in a 90% clogged artery going into my heart.  The cardiologist attempted to establish the stint and four tries later life watched me to Wichita. The Kansas Medical Center in Andover, Kansas was to be my home for the next ten days. I had a single by-pass and initially the future looked pretty good. We left the heart hospital on April 5th and drove to Salina to assure my Mother I was still alive. We returned to Garden City two days later. On the following Wednesday, April 11th, early in the morning, Cheryl called the ambulance since my entire system seemed to be shutting down. After a brief stay in St. Catherine’s emergency room I was transferred to Western Plains Regional Hospital in Dodge City. I had developed a significant infection in my left leg where the vein for surgery had been harvested. While in Dodge City further tests showed the phrenic nerve to my diaphragm had been injured during the earlier surgery. I had a ten stay in Dodge City.

     On April 26 we traveled by car to Scott County Hospital to begin therapy in their swing bed unit. The next day I was again transported by ambulance back to St. Catherine’s with internal bleeding. Surgery the next day ruled out upper GI problems. I was in intensive care here in Garden City for five days with a second surgery on my leg where drainage tubes were inserted. After a day on the floor I went back to Scott City for another ten days of therapy. I have now been home for four weeks with ups and downs. This is my tale of woe. Sometime during the stay at Dodge City I started getting really discouraged. There didn’t seem to be a whole lot of hope in the future. At that point Cheryl and I began to look at things a lot different than we had in the past to determine my relationship with the church.

     I never in all my life dreamed that I would be writing such a letter to you as I am today. We have discovered that our denomination provides a means of disability that will allow me to cease sucking off resources of the church. This amounts to 60% of my salary and we believe we can live comfortably on that. In plain English this means I will not be coming back to work as your pastor. By record, my last day of work was March 26 and the date of separation will be the 30th day of June. There will still be business that has to be attended to. Session accepted my resignation on Monday, June 5 and the relationship between myself and the church must be accepted by the congregation at a special meeting, yet to be called. Following that, Presbytery must also act on and affirm my retirement.

     I cannot tell you what a wonderful experience it has been to serve this church over the past eighteen years! Nobody, and I mean nobody, could have been as caring and gracious to me as you have been. As I watched the church function on Sunday, I was affirmed in how well you cope. Maybe I have done a few things right over the past few years. Thank you and God bless each of you. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be!!

                                                                                      ~ ~ ~ Dave ~ ~ ~

 

 

Dave’s Decision

 

     The Session received a letter from Dave dated June 4 in which he

announced that he intends to go on disability as of June 30.  The requirement for this option is the inability to work for 90 days and his last day on the job was March 26.  His disability coverage is through the denomination’s pension plan and he will be paid approximately 60% of his current salary. 

As of July 1 our church will not be paying him a salary.

     The Session affirmed Dave’s decision with regret and with prayers for his continued recovery.  We have not, however, ended our relationship with him.  That won’t happen until he retires or requests dissolution of the relationship which would need to be ratified by the congregation at a congregational

 meeting and then by Presbytery.  The earliest date that can take place is

August.  The church could then seek to hire an interim pastor.

     It continues to be necessary for the Session to do a lot research to discover the options available to us and Charles Ayers, who is moderating our Session in Dave’s absence, and Don Owens, the Presbytery Executive, have been very helpful.  The Session doesn’t know all the answers but we want the

congregation to feel free to ask and we will do our best to communicate what we think we know.

Ann Hamlett, Clerk of Session

 

     In other action at the Session meeting, a committee was appointed to begin the mission study of our church, a first and necessary step toward eventually calling a new pastor.  After the committee list was compiled and calls were made to those people, this group will lead the study:

Anne Brown, Mary Buchele, Lauren Deaver, Wally Hamann, 

Carol Hodgkinson, Steve Irvin, Brad Irvin (part-time participant),

Jennifer Jones, Bob Law.

     The rest of the congregation will also have opportunities to contribute to

the study.  Don Owens will be helping the committee to organize their efforts. Thank you to all of those who volunteered and to those who said yes when they were asked to help.

 

Tarwater’s Reception

     This Sunday, June 17 after worship we will be holding a reception in honor of Suzan, Mark and Brian Tarwater. The family will be leaving for New Jersey at the end of June. We plan to do a ‘money map’ (similar to a money tree) in appreciation for the years that they have served our church.

     If you are unable to attend but still want to contribute, please contact Ann Hamlett or send donations to the church office. Please indicate Tarwater fund.

 

Breakfast at the Church

Our next Fellowship meal is ‘Breakfast in the Church’

on Sunday, June 24 at 9:00 am.

The Fellowship Committee will provide ham, pancakes and orange juice.

The congregation is invited to bring a side dish of fresh fruit.

 

Come to church for breakfast AND support 4 of our outstanding youth.

There will be a freewill offering at “Breakfast at the Church” in support of our youth attending the 2007 Presbyterian Triennium and the Summer Institute at Pittsburgh Seminary.  Mandy McVey, Michael Heatwole and Mitchell Watson will leave July 16th for Triennium at Purdue University in Indiana.  “Hope is in our Midst” is the theme – watch for their report.  KayeLani Irvin will be at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary July 7 – 21.  We expect these young people to return full of enthusiasm and new leadership skills.

 

Sunday school

There will be no Sunday school classes June 24.

We will resume classes on July 1st.

 

Ringers Needed

Would you like to become a member of our Bell Choir?  We are looking for more ‘Ringers’. Whether you have experience or not, training is provided. Come join our wonderful group of musicians. Contact Linda Adams for more information.

 

The 2007 Youth Mission Trip to La Puente in the San Luis Valley of Colorado was, as sponsor Randy McVey put it, “The best mission trip I’ve been on.”  Five youth and two adults left directly from the commissioning service May 27 for this beautiful, but extremely poor rural area. They worked to enclose a porch, making a bedroom in the home of a grandmother caring for several grandchildren.   They learned new construction skills, conversed with the family, played basketball with them, lived their faith.  Ask any of them about the work and fun they had on this Youth Mission trip – Amy McVey, Brian Tarwater, Brevin Irvin, Mitchell Watson, A.J. Dome.  Special thanks to Randy and Becky McVey for leading them!

 

Summer Youth Group for

8-12th grades

 continues Wednesday’s at 6:30.  Sponsors Brad Irvin and Becky McVey will be joined by Randy McVey (He had so much fun on the mission trip!).  Remember, meals will not be provided during the summer.

 

Attention all girls, women, mothers, daughters, aunts,

 nieces, friends, females of the Presbyterian Church

It’s time for ‘Church Girl Lunches’!

During the summer months we meet Fridays at noon to enjoy a meal

and fellowship together.

 

Here’s this summer’s schedule:

June 15   Lone Star

June 22   El Zarapes

June 29   Adams Rib

July  06  Golden Dragon

July 13    Time Out (Hamburgers!)

July 20   El Conquistador

July 27    Pho Hoa

Aug  03   Traditions (Main St)

 

 

Clean Water – Living Water                           VBS 2007

  VBS is underway with around 35 children attending.  Thank you to all the leaders, helpers, parents, and people who donated items.  St. James Lutheran and St. Thomas Episcopal are partnering with us again this year.  It’s going to be a great week of learning and fun!

 

Parish Nursing Notes

The following excerpt is taken from the University of Kansas Area Health Education Centers Newsletter.

 

     As you know the tornado on May 4, 2007 nearly wiped out the town of Greensburg. A KU Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Southwest nurse was there to help, waiting on the highway trying to get home from a meeting earlier that day in Wichita.

 

     Brenda Watson, RN, BSN, CCM, and CNE coordinator with the AHEC Southwest, stopped in Haviland where emergency vehicles and cars were backed up. Police said there was a threat of a tornado on the ground and the roads were blocked. After 45 minutes had passed, Watson went to talk to a police officer and identified herself as a nurse. The officer told her she could choose whether or not to go into Greensburg to offer medical assistance, she chose to go in.

 

     The triage area was set up in the parking lot of the Dillon’s grocery store. At that point Watson, and a Greensburg resident who had not yet finished her first-aid training, were the only medical responders available. She was able to help, mostly seeing and caring for cuts and scrapes. After the first few hours a physician from Jetmore arrived to help, and Greensburg residents were being cared for quickly.

 

     “I just learned so much about the people of Greensburg, they are not selfish, they were more concerned about others in the town,” said Watson. “When I offered them help they would say, I’m fine, go check on this or that person.”

 

     Watson went on to share how the people of the town were so in shock that they weren’t worried about their own health. She shared one account of a man showing up with no shoes, he and his wife have two kids and they had just lost their house. “He didn’t ask for anything, they were just so in shock. It was surreal, like a dream,” Watson stated. “Things that were there earlier that day when I had driven through were just gone!”

 

     After working all through the night, Watson was able to head back to Garden City around 6 am that next morning. She mentioned that through all of this, in the end it is all about the people of Greensburg, not what she did to help.

 

SYNOD CONNECTION

Staying in touch with the wider church and its mission in the world June 11, 2007

 

(For questions, comments or replies to this newsletter, contact Mary Sue

Thomas, editor, at maryst@synodma.org)

 

ANNOUNCING….MONTREAT BOOKS AND GIFTS

  Montreat announces the grand opening of www.montreatbooksandgifts.org . 

On the site you will find a wide variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, professional resource materials for ministers and educators, and childrens books), gifts (both sacred and secular), and pottery that have been hand selected with you in mind.  Take a moment and browse through the website. 

 

BELATED CONGRATULATIONS

   Belated congratulations to Alexandria Presbyterian Church – Missouri Union Presbytery – who celebrated its 160th anniversary in April of this year. 

 

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

   Through your support of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Mission

Initiative:  Joining Hearts and Hands, you can help send mission personnel

to serve as the hands and feet of Christ around the world.  Today, candidates stand ready to answer Christ’s call to meet such critical needs as:

addressing the issues of hunger and poverty in South Africa;

helping to rebuild the infrastructures of healthcare and education in

Sudan; establishing new churches and Christian fellowships in Central Asia; ministering to refugees in Moscow, many of whom are Africans

fleeing the ravages of famine, religious persecution and ethnic strife.

These examples are just a sampling of critical new positions that have been identified by the PC(USA) working closely with partner churches and organizations in Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.  In each instance, significant funding is needed now.  To make a gift or a pledge, or to discuss how you, your church, presbytery, synod, or Presbyterian-related organization can be involved, call 888-728-7228, ext. 5611, or visit www.pcusa.org/joiningheartsandhands.  Gifts or pledges made in support of new international mission positions such as those outlined above should

include the designation MI900100.                                                            

 

NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN EVANGELISM CONFERENCE

   Presbyterians, as members of the body of Christ, have a responsibility to share the good news of Jesus Christ.  But how do we share the gospel with passion and humility in the current context of shifting demographics, a diverse population, and expanded technology?  Make plans to attend the National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference, August 31 – Sept. 3 in Nashville, TN to be involved in conversation around this topic and more.  Participants can choose from 58 workshops ranging in topics from planting new churches, working with diverse cultures and languages, parish nursing, defining the “missional” church, generational evangelism, and incorporating new members into the faith community. 

To register on line go to www.pcusa.org/evangelism. 

 

 

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY  

                    June 17, 2007

Greeters - Blanche Larson

Lay Leader - Kyle & Kathryn Ochampaugh

Ushers -  Youth

Fellowship - Tarwater Reception

 

Pray healing for Leona Crotty, Greg Adams, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Rolland Mathias, Les DePew, Yvonne Allman, Pat LeClerc, Ruth Powell, Susan Brookover, Bob Whippo, Dale Meadors, Marge Williams, Linda Friesner, Caroline Sundquist, Nancy Stegman, Belinda Fouse.

(Please call the church with your personal prayer request). 

God Bless All Of You.

 

The following families have recently lost loved ones.

Please pray for the Baldwin family on the passing of Dean.

 

This week’s prayer family:  Craig, Jessica, Jerica, Andrew and Connor Wikoff.

Please pray for the First Presbyterian Church in Halstead, KS.

 

Addresses for:

Edna Baldwin  6377 N Powell Rd Parker, CO 80134

Dennis & Kim Baldwin  6452 N. Winfield Ave Parker, CO 80134

 

 

 

                       Birthdays

      Darlene Mathias        6/18

      Carole Naylor           6/19

      Ken Harsha               6/21

      Sarah Headrick         6/22

      Madelyn Mathias       6/23

      Laramee Peitz            6/24

      Cheryl Sweley           6/24

      Molly Wieland           6/24

      Jeff Sterling                6/25

      Patsy Roth                 6/26

      Erik York                  6/26

      Rick Erwin                6/27

      Jill Whippo                6/27

      Randy McVey           6/28

      Sara Brown               6/29

      Bob Law                   6/30

      Vivian Mohler            6/30

      Ruth Powell               6/30             

 

                     Anniversaries

Lee & Brenda Reeve       6/18/1983

Rodney & Tara York      6/19/2004

Rick & Bonnie Erwin       6/21/1975

 

 

This Week’s Activities

Sunday, June 17

Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Worship @10:45 am

Monday, June 18

Deacons 7:30 pm

Tuesday, June 19

Celebration Team @ 7:00 pm

Wednesday, June 20

 Celebration Worship w/Pot Luck dinner @ 6:00 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm

Sunday, June 24

Breakfast in the Church @ 9:00 am with Worship to follow

Monday, June 25

Session @ 7:00 pm

Tuesday, June 26

Celebration Team @ 7:00 pm

Wednesday, June 27

 Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship @ 8:30 pm