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In the news
For more news
More news of what's happening in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas is available from two diocesan publications.
You can read the latest issue of The Harvest, our bimonthly newspaper, by clicking HERE. You can read the latest issue of DioLog, our biweekly electronic newsletter, by clicking HERE.
Bishop Wolfe names Interim Youth Missioner
On Jan. 27 Bishop Dean E. Wolfe announced he has named Michael J.K. Funston as the interim Youth Missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, effective Feb. 15. In her full-time role as interim, Funston will oversee all aspects of the existing youth program, and she also will help the youth ministry community move through the transition period that will lead to the call of a permanent Youth Missioner.
In making the appointment Bishop Wolfe said, “Michael Knoll Funston is a product of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Youth and Campus Ministries programs. She has distinguished herself as an interim youth leader at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D. C., and brings maturity and a team approach to the interim leadership of our fine youth ministry program. I am delighted she has agreed to serve the diocese in this capacity.”
Bishop Wolfe noted that he initially had planned, in consultation with his Youth Advisory Committee (which he named to assist him with planning for youth ministry after the departure in December of former Youth Missioner Chad Senuta), to have a variety of people assume responsibility for upcoming youth events.
Further reflection and discussion regarding the pastoral, programmatic and administrative needs of the program indicated that a full-time interim would provide critical support and stability to the program.
Bishop Wolfe said he plans to undertake an extensive nationwide search later this year to fill the permanent Youth Missioner position.
Funston said of her new appointment, “I am overjoyed to serve the young people of the Diocese of Kansas in this way. This diocese is known for its strong youth program, and I look forward to working with the youth ministers, leaders and young people to continue this tradition.”
Funston, 25, most recently spent two years as the full-time interim director of youth ministries at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., which has more than 3,000 members. She also served as facilitator for the recently completed Miqra Bible-reading weekend for youth in this diocese, and she has been coordinator of the diocesan peer ministers since last September.
A lifelong Kansas Episcopalian, she was active in parish and diocesan youth ministry from 2001 to 2005, when she served in virtually every leadership capacity in the program. She also was a diocesan campus peer minister at Kansas State University, from which she graduated in 2009 with a degree in sociology. She was a member of the K-State women’s rowing team.
She is married to the Rev. Patrick Funston, chaplain at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence. She will work from an office at her home there.
New priest ordained on Jan. 7
The Rev. A. Patrick K. Funston was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 7 at Grace Cathedral in Topeka. He is pictured (left) with Bishop Dean Wolfe.
Funston serves as chaplain at Bishop Seabury Academy, an Episcopal secondary school in Lawrence.
More photos from the service are available >>HERE and >>HERE.
Online donations now accepted via website
A new online donation system now is in place for people who want to make secure, electronic contributions to the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. It is accessible through the diocesan website, www.episcopal-ks.org, by clicking the “Donate Now” button on the left side.
That opens a page operated in partnership with Network for Good, a respected firm that manages secure, online donations for more than 6,000 non-profit organizations.
Donors then can select the amount and frequency of their gift, the fund to which it should go, and the number of the credit or debit card they wish to use for the transaction. Donor contact information also is needed.
Once a donation is made, donors receive a confirmation thank-you email generated by Network for Good, confirming the gift.
Currently, donors can select from these places where they want a donation to go:
- Crossroads Campaign, including making payments on a pledge;
- Diocesan endowment;
- Campus ministries;
- Bishop’s Discretionary Fund;
- Kansas to Kenya Missionary Fund; and
- Youth camp scholarships.
Network for Good is a 10-year-old company that has received the “charity seal” of approval from the non-profit arm of the Better Business Bureau that evaluates charities.
The diocese pays a fee for this service, which includes 3 percent of every gift made through the site. Donors have the option of adding 3 percent more to their gift, which reduces the cost of the online service to the diocese and provides an additional tax-deductible contribution for them.
Anyone with questions about using the new electronic donation procedure should contact Char DeWitt, diocesan director of development and stewardship, at (785) 250-0060 or cdewitt@episcopal-ks.org.
First director named for new refugee agency
Bishop Dean Wolfe has announced the appointment of Shannon Mahan as the first executive director of the Episcopal Wichita Area Refugee Ministry, or EWARM.
The newly formed agency is an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministry and will be settling political refugees from Myanmar (Burma) as early as February.
Bishop Wolfe said of her appointment, “Shannon brings considerable experience in non-profit management, an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for extending God’s love to those fleeing unimaginable circumstances.”
Mahan is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree in non-profit management, and she has extensive experience in a variety of non-profit agencies.
Her husband, Earl, is the priest in charge at St. John’s, Wichita.
Mahan’s salary will be paid by money from federal grants that accompany refugee resettlement.
EWARM was started just over a year ago by members of St. John’s and has set up an office in the parish’s former administration building. It has formed a partnership with the International Rescue Committee, a major global refugee agency that also recently established a presence in Wichita. The two groups are sharing office space.
Funding for the agency and its resettlement efforts will come through Episcopal Migration Ministries, one of nine national agencies that hold agreements with the U.S. State Department to resettle refugees. It is part of The Episcopal Church.
EWARM is asking members of Episcopal parishes across the diocese to serve as “ambassadors” to help welcome new refugees to Wichita. These volunteers can aid the refugees with transportation, companionship, assistance with learning English and welcome baskets to greet new families or to help furnish rooms in new residences. If interested in helping, contact Mahan at shannon.mahan@ewarm.org.
ESS honors outstanding volunteers
Episcopal Social Services in Wichita honored some of its volunteers during its annual volunteer recognition dinner on Oct. 16. More than 170 people volunteer at ESS each year, providing more than 10,000 hours of service.
The coveted Bob Parker Award went to Joyce Barker, a member of Good Shepherd, Wichita. Named for the agency’s first director, this award is given out only periodically to acknowledge a volunteer who shows longevity and consistency.
Barker has been a volunteer in the agency’s food program for more than 10 years and assists in the kitchen every Friday. In addition, she usually brings homemade baked goods from home to share with those who come to the agency in downtown Wichita seeking a hot meal and other kinds of assistance.
Among those receiving special recognition were two longtime volunteers in the agency’s Representative Payee Program, which administers disability benefits for those who need this service.
Marjorie Williams, a member of St. James’, Wichita, has been a part of the program for more than five years and volunteers every day but one the program is open. She also plays the piano for the newly formed Venture House Singers.
Bud Lytle, a member of St. Christopher’s, Wichita, also has been part of the payee program for more than five years and, like Williams, assists clients nearly every day the program operates.
Bishop Wolfe sends letter about same-gender blessings
Bishop Dean Wolfe on Nov. 10 sent a letter about the isssue of same-gender blessings to subscribers to DioLog, the diocese's biweekly e-newsletter. The text of it is available >>HERE