Resources for Advent

Nov. 12, 2015

Resources for Advent

Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 29, and here are some resources that might help mark the season:

AdventWord: The Society of St. John the Evangelist again this year is offering a word-a-day during Advent, asking readers around the world to upload images to social media that reflect the word, creating a global, digital Advent calendar. Information on the project, along with a link to receive each day’s word by email, is at

Forward Movement: This Episcopal publishing house has a variety of resources, including its popular Color-It-In posters, for the season of Advent. A list of their offerings is online at

The Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Seminary offers lots of suggestions to help parishes and families celebrate the seasons of the church year:

Living Compass: The center for spiritual wellness offers an Advent resource each year. In 2015, a special version has been written just for Spanish readers. The English version is Practicing Patience With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind by Scott Stoner, with guest writers Steven Charleston, Nurya Love Parish, Tom Purdy and Porter Taylor. The Spanish resource is Vivir un Adviento Diferente en el 2015:Ejercitando la Paciencia con mucho corazón, alma mente y fuerzas by Alvaro Araica con José Arroyo y Joel Almonó. Copies can be ordered at

St. Nicholas Day Dec. 6: St. Nicholas of Myra, the saint that came to be known as Santa Claus, is celebrated on Dec. 6. Learning about his life, ministry and legacy can make for fun and informative Sunday school lessons.Lots of information is available from the St. Nicholas Center at

Reminder: health insurance open enrollment ends Nov. 20

Clergy and lay employees who are covered by polices under the Episcopal Church Medical Trust have until Nov. 20 to complete open enrollment for plans offered for 2016.

Rates for health plans approved for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas are detailed in a PDF on the diocesan website at

More information is on the diocese’s health insurance web page,

Anyone with questions should contact diocesan Comptroller Jay Currie at , (785) 235-9255 or (800) 473-3563.

Diocesan Convention, through photos and video

Do you want to see highlights from the 156th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas? Here are some options:

A video of Bishop Wolfe’s keynote address (38 minutes):
A large selection of photos of all convention events, by Deacon Bob Hirst, is on his Facebook page:
Photos of the Convention Eucharist, by Director of Communications Melodie Woerman:

Photos, videos from the installation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Several multimedia options are available to relive – or see for the first time – all or part of the installation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at Washington National Cathedral on Nov. 1.

The installation service in its entirety (3 hours, 46 minutes, including an hour of prelude music):
Presiding Bishop Curry’s sermon at his installation (37 minutes):
Photos by Donovan Marks, of the Washington National Cathedral:
A story about the service from Episcopal News Service:
A variety of photos from the service, via ENS:
Videos of remarks from Anglican and ecumenical guests at the service:

On the day after his installation, Presiding Bishop Curry offered “A Word to the Church,” a video in which he describes us as “the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement” (3 minutes, 45 seconds):

St. John’s, Wichita, to celebrate 145th anniversary Nov. 22

All members of the diocese are invited to join St. John’s, Wichita, in celebrating the church’s 145th anniversary and the dedication of its recent building renovations on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at the church, 402 North Topeka in Wichita. Bishop Dean Wolfe will be participating in the event.

A reception will follow the service, taking place in the newly renovated undercroft.

Miqra registration is now open!

MIQRA (meek-rah) is a weekend retreat that focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what's in it, why they should care and how to read it. This year's educational focus will be on the Gospels and Acts.

When: Saturday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m. to Monday, Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka (senior high) and

St. David's Episcopal Church in Topeka (junior high students will be bussed there and back for the weekend)

Who: Grades 6-12

Fee: $60

Priority deadline:Thursday, Jan. 1, 2016 (price increases by $15 after this date)

Registration forms:Youth and adults can sign-up for Miqra here:

Youth: make a MegaCamp commercial and maybe win a camp scholarship

1. Create a video that answers one of these questions:

a. Why do YOU love camp?

b. What is your favorite thing about camp?

c. What is your favorite memory from camp?

d. Why should other people go?

2. Must also include:

a. The official name for camp: Episcopal Summer "Mega" Camp

b. The dates for camp: June 5-11, 2016

c. The grades of those who can come to camp: those who have finished Grades 3-12

d. If you have the ability to add text to your video, please put the web site on it:

3. Should be 1-2 minutes long (just like a TV commercial) … could be shorter or slightly longer

4. Due by January 1, 2016

5. Post to YouTube, tag #MegaCamp2016 and e-mail or Facebook message the link to Karen Schlabach, .

At least one person will be selected to win a $140 scholarship to camp!

Celebration of New Ministry set for Nov. 21

All are invited to a Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Mary Korte, D.Min., when she will be installed as rector of St. Stephen’s, Wichita. The service takes place on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the church, 7404 E. Killarney in Wichita. A high tea will follow the service.

Korte most recently has served the church as priest in charge.

Are Christmas services on your church website now? They should be.

From Director of Communications Melodie Woerman:

While Advent still is a few days away, it’s not too soon to put your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services on your church website.

Episcopalians who will be out of town are making travel plans right now, and if they will be in your area, they want to know when they can plan to attend Christmas services.

To help visitors feel welcome – as well as people in your community who find themselves hungry for a religious observance on that day – be sure to place service times prominently, along with your address (and directions), as well as a way to contact the church for more information.

Prayers requested on Nov. 29 for ‘the peace of Jerusalem’

The Diocese of Jerusalem, part of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, has asked that churches across the globe offer special prayers on Nov. 29, the first Sunday of Advent, for peace from the violence and fear that has swept the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding region in recent weeks.

Attached to this message is a Litany for Peace that was developed at the Cathedral Church of St. George-the-Martyr in Jerusalem. It also has been posted on the diocesan website under the Resources tab,

Episcopal Relief & Development announces matching gift challenge

Episcopal Relief & Development supporters have the opportunity to double their impact and unlock $750,000 in matching funds to help the organization reach its 75th Anniversary fundraising goal and expand its programs worldwide.

With matching funds provided by a group of dedicated Episcopal Relief & Development donors, any contribution made during the 2015 Matching Gift Challenge will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total match amount of $750,000.

This includes contributions through Gifts for Life, Episcopal Relief & Development’s alternative giving catalog ( and monthly donations scheduled during the challenge period.

To have a gift matched, simply make a donation between now and Dec. 31. Donate online ( or call (855) 312-HEAL (4325). Gifts also can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Need to buy a gift? ‘Gifts for Life’ helps people in need.

If you’re in search of a gift for someone who doesn’t need another “thing,” why not consider something from Episcopal Relief & Development’s Gifts for Life catalog? This program allows givers to purchase livestock, clean water, mosquito nets, vocational training and other necessities of life on behalf of people in need around the world.

And, ER&D’s matching gift challenge (see article above) means money spent on Gifts for Life purchases will be matched, up to the $750,000 total limit.