From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

We had a wonderful adult Sunday School series in June.  Each week we heard about different aspects of being human.  Dr. Francie Ekengren talked with us about end-of-life ethics.  She shared about the Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preferences or TPOPP.

The TPOPP is a tool to allow individuals to best express their end of life treatment goals and preferences. It’s something that is filled out with a physician. It is then recorded in a database that is available to the hospitals in Wichita.

Francie shared eloquently about her faith and her understanding of end of life issues. She wove together her calling as a Christian and a physician. I hope you take time to talk with your physician and your family about your end of life care, and that you take the time to complete a TPOPP.

I invite you to talk with me about what happens when you die. As your church, we are honored to walk with you all the way to the grave and to witness to the resurrection at your death. There are some Grace members who have given me instructions for their funerals or memorial services. Others have given me a list of hymns they want at their services.  One of you in our congregation likes to sit down every summer and go over the service details to make sure nothing has changed.

The act of planning your memorial service or funeral is an opportunity for your loved ones to enact their grief, but giving them some guidance can be a gift. Call me anytime to set up an appointment to talk.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk: June 3

Dear Grace Community,

At her birth, our daughter Alice joined one of the more exclusive groups at Grace. It’s a group that includes Brian Whepley, Laurie Mulford, Will Snook, and me, to name a few. We’re all PK’s, Preacher’s Kids. At my latest count, there are around 11 of us in the congregation.

Being a PK is interesting. There are only a few other jobs that involve taking your child to work as much as this one does. I was fortunate to have a mostly positive experience as a PK. I loved how well I knew the church: where all the rooms, closets and hallways were. I loved running up and down those hallways when no one else was in the building. I loved how awe inspiring and spooky the sanctuary seemed late in the afternoon when the lights were out, and it was empty of people. I felt like I should whisper, and yet I wanted to shout and hear my voice echo.

I remember the time when I made it clear to my dad that he was to never talk about me in a sermon again unless he had my explicit permission. I was in fifth grade, and he referenced something a young person had said to him about the new movie Batman. I was the young person, and as people commented to me after worship that they figured it was me, I became livid. This doesn’t seem like a big thing now, but to me at age 11 it was. I have to remember that what may not be a big deal to me might be a big deal to Alice, and I will be careful about how I talk about her at church and in worship, though I’m sure I will make her livid at some point.

The best thing about being a PK is how loved I was by people in the congregation. We did not live near family, and so church members were surrogate great aunts and uncles and cousins. They took a genuine interest in me. One of those women, Jocelyn, now lives in Georgia. Jocelyn, who knew me when I was three, served on my ordination commission when I was 30. Church connections last.

I have a few requests of you regarding your interactions with my PK. First, never stop showing her God’s love. Alice was baptized in May, and you promised to help raise her in the Christian faith. Make sure she knows that God loves her, no matter what. Show her the love of Christ by the way you treat her and each other. Show her this through the ways you serve.

Second, cut her some slack. That’s easy to say now when she’s three months old, but the day will come when she’s rude or runs down the hall loudly on a Sunday morning. If she needs redirecting, do it gently. Remember that I work here – she doesn’t, and some days she may not want to be here. Finally, be careful of what she hears you say about me. There will be times when you get frustrated or upset with me, and that’s fine, but she doesn’t need that stress.

John and I are grateful that you are helping us raise Alice in the faith. Growing up can be lots of fun, and it can be hard. We need all the help we can get in making sure Alice knows that she is God’s child.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk – May 9

Dear Grace Community,

For this edition of ‘From the Pastor’s Desk,’ I’m sharing a letter from another pastor. Last month a friend of mine from seminary asked her colleagues to send to her the addresses of our churches. Her congregation was studying some of Paul’s letters, and she asked them to write letters to other congregations. We received a letter from her church, actually from the pastor, and you’ll find it below.  Please join me in praying for the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, New York, and their pastor Sarah.

In Christ,

Catherine

Pastor Sarah’s Letter

Dear Members and Friends of Grace Presbyterian,

I will be holding you in prayer and blessing in the weeks to come.  I pray that God blesses the mission of your church, that it may be fruitful and life giving to your community.  I pray for your members, that they be healthy and whole, supporting each other in joy and in sorrow.  I pray for your pastor and leaders that God may fill them with purpose and energy for the calling they have been given.

If you would pray in return for my church, First Presbyterian of Delhi, New York, we would be grateful.  In particular, we are embarking on a new ministry and we hope for its success.

Blessing and peace to you, in the name of Christ.

Pastor Sarah Hooker

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From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

It’s wonderful to be back with you.  I am grateful for the time I had during my maternity leave. The eight weeks gave me a chance to start to get my bearings when it comes to motherhood, and it gave me and John time to begin getting to know this interesting and beautiful baby God entrusted to us.

April 17 was my first Sunday back in worship, and it was a joy to see you, worship with you, and to start reconnecting.  April 17 was also Alice’s first day in the church nursery and John’s first time getting her ready for church on his own.  (They did well!)

As my maternity leave drew to a close, I found myself thinking more and more about the upcoming months at Grace. I’m excited about the possibilities and plans before us. Since my return, I’ve tried to catch up on all that I’ve missed.  Some of you have experienced big life events, good and bad. It’s possible that I am not aware of what’s happening with you, and if you need or want a visit please reach out and let me know.

The church staff did an incredible job of making sure things went smoothly while I was gone, and I am grateful to them.  Our congregation is blessed with gifted and passionate people who see working here as serving God. I am thankful for these people.

My weekly schedule varies some, but in general I work Sunday thru Wednesday and Friday. I take Thursday as my day off. You can generally find me in the office on the days when I work, but I do have off-site meetings, so while dropping by usually means you can catch me, appointments are good too.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk: March 16

March 16, 2016

Dear Grace Community,

Greetings from maternity leave! John and I are enjoying Alice and look forward to introducing her to you. We think she’s wonderful, and we’re sure you’ll agree.

I talked briefly to a church member the other day who asked me if I was thinking a lot about the church. Truthfully, I told her, some days I can’t remember if I’ve brushed my teeth, so I haven’t been able to put too much energy into church matters. (Being a new parent is not for the faint of heart!) I’m grateful for our staff and volunteers who are capably handling things in my absence.

I’m writing to say hello and to address the vandalism that was done to our church buildings over the weekend. In multiple places around the outside of the building and garage, someone spray-painted the words “Refugees Welcome.” I learned about this when one of our elders put some pictures on Facebook. Like her, I was perplexed, and went by the church to see it and to talk with our Executive Pastor, Martin Burch, about it.

My first reaction to the graffiti was anger. I’m protective of our church and don’t like that it was defaced. Regardless as to the message, this was a crime, and it will cost money to remove. Beyond my anger I was confused. Was the message an insult, a compliment? Did the vandal think we were too welcoming, not welcoming enough?

A couple of years ago, Grace member, Cheryl Lyda, and I visited some agencies in town that work with refugees. Cheryl was discerning a personal call to get involved in the refugee community, and we wondered if there might be a place for our congregation to serve.

Cheryl began volunteering with the International Rescue Committee, and last fall she formed a team at Grace to engage with refugees. In December, along with several other churches, we hosted a dinner for the Wichita refugee community. Many of you participated in this event. This spring we’re collecting household items for refugees, and this summer we’ll invite the refugee community to our annual pool party and cookout.

Last fall, at the same time our plans were being made, the Syrian refugee crisis began to unfold in horrifying images on our TVs and computers as a hot button issue at the national and state level. While many churches spoke out about the political nature of this crisis, I did not think our congregation needed to make a verbal statement because our actions spoke for us. We already approach refugees hearing Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:41, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Extending a warm welcome to people forced from their homes is an act of Christian hospitality and speaks loudly.

As a congregation, we continue to speak with our actions. I hope you’ll participate by donating items for refugee families during April. Come to the pool party this summer and talk with someone who is trying to make Wichita their new home. Find out when our refugee team meets again and join them.

And about the practical side of things, our defaced buildings? Likely we’ll never know why this was done. As with all facility matters, I trust Martin Burch and Tim Fry to wisely discern cleanup. Martin knows the big picture of all building matters better than anyone, and Tim knows the day-to-day workings. I know that if needed Martin will consult with our Board of Trustees or Session.

As troubling as this graffiti is, I hope that we might use this time to pray for our brothers and sisters who seek to make Wichita their new home. And I encourage us to pray for those who vandalized our buildings, that they might have changed hearts.

In Christ,
Catherine

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