Churches across Kansas are reaching out to their communities to alleviate hunger. Maybe your congregation is considering offering something similar. Here are some of the ways that other churches do this.

Atchison FCC – In operation for over 14 years, the Atchison County Food Pantry is an ecumenical and community-based group, with volunteers from many different backgrounds. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, people are welcome to receive food once a month.

Chanute FCC – God’s Pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings. In 2018, they served more than 3500 people.

Coffeyville FCC – on the last Saturday of each month, the church offers a free community breakfast. In January 89 guests were served.

Emporia FCC – in coordination with the Salvation Army and the First United Methodist Church, the church’s food pantry is open two days a week. Each family is given standard items including protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Patrons appreciate the roll of toilet paper included in each bag. Patrons may choose extra items when available.  Annually, over 560 families are served.

Girard FCC — The church has lead the way to making the community food pantry.  Open a few days each week, several local churches have joined forces to make this vital ministry happen. the church hosts a pantry

Great Bend FCC — In addition to supporting the community food bank which provides meat, bread, and dairy items, the church has a small pantry of canned and dry goods for those in-between times and for transients. 

Holton FCC – The church houses the local ministerial alliance’s Food Pantry.

Independence FCC – Serves a free community dinner every Tuesday night

Neodesha FCC – Serves a community breakfast on Sunday morning

Topeka FCC – Sack Lunch Ministry prepares 150 sack lunches that include a sandwich, a bag of chips, fruit and a granola bar. The sack lunch items are donated, assembled, and distributed by church members to the Topeka Rescue Mission every Sunday.

Wichita Faith CC – Tuesday Food Pantry

Wichita, Hillside CC — Volunteer food pantry serves 50-65 households a week. They work with the larger Wichita Food Bank program and receive non-perishables as well as fresh food. Church members also donate clothing, hygiene products, and even refurbished bikes.

We’re confident that this list is not comprehensive, and that more Disciples churches are feeding the hungry. Have your own twist on keeping our hungry fed?  Share with us!

Consider setting up regional gifts on a recurring gift schedule using the new CCK Donors Portal.

With the Givers Portal, you have the convenience and flexibility to create and change recurring regional gifts to any fund or ministry.  You can also have secure online access to giving history over the previous 12 months.

Because the Donors Portal does store payment information, a login is always required to donate.

How?

1. Click on the Donors Portal
2. Follow on screen instructions to create login

2019 Kansas Regional Event

In 2018, we introduced the Congregational Escape and MissionFest as a re-envisioning of the traditional regional assembly.

This year, we are taking it one step further by combining the proposed regional vision statement and our Kansas Leadership Center training into an event designed to connect Kansas Disciples and equip them for the adaptive challenges faced by our churches.

Join us Saturday, August 10 at Tawakoni for a day that will connect, celebrate and express our challenges as we reimagine what it is to be church.

Age-appropriate programs for children and youth are being planned. Possible activities include:

• Workshops
• Bouncy House
• Swimming
• Challenge Course
• Archery
• Food Court

The day will begin and end with worship together under the big tent.

Kansas Disciples Women’s Fall Retreat will be October 2-4 or October 4-6 at Disciples Center at Camp Tawakoni. Get your permanent ink pen out to write it on your calendar, and plan to attend, because it is certain to be an exciting event!

Join us in fellowship, learning, and worship. Your 2019 Retreat Committee, chaired by Rhonda Machlan, Topeka First Christian Church, is deep in preparation for your retreat. God is speaking to the hearts of the retreat committee, developing plans for the future! Join us at the fountain as we explore Faith That Overflows!

Did you take a fountain selfie at the retreat in October? Remember that you can send it to Mary Hunter, and you just might see yourself in a future publication.

Speaker:
Sheila Spencer

Sheila P. Spencer serves as the Director of Christian Education/Faith Formation for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Prior to that, she served for five years as the Program Director/Merger Staff for Disciples’ Women Ministries.

Faith That Overflows!

“And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me
with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:14 NRSV

2019 Summer Camp Registration is open. Save $40 on many camps by registering before April 30.

Plan to attend one of 15 camp experiences available for all ages. All camps are at Disciples Center at Tawakoni, near Augusta, unless otherwise stated.

The all-inclusive camp fee includes lodging, food, and program expense including a nurse. $10 from each camp registration will go towards camp maintenance. All campers receive a theme T-Shirt and water bottle.

Register and pay online:
CYF Conference
Pre-High
Chi Rho
Junior
Primary
Discovery
KCYF Mission Week
Equestrian Camp
Grand Camp

Scholarships are available. Camp scholarship applications have been extended to April 15. Remember most churches will pay half of the registration fee. Check with your church office for details.

Directors have been selected and are actively requiting.  Volunteer applications available for download here.

Girard First Christian Church pastor Cristine Warring was ordained March 16 at Tawakoni. Phillips Seminary classmate Josh Bell brought the sermon and Regional Minister Ken Marston presided.

Regional Minister Steve Martin took part in the local celebration hosted by the Girard congregation on March 17.

From Topeka’s “doorstep” to the ends of the earth.

The Noontimers small group at Topeka West Side Christian Church spent time Tuesday, March 12, sorting clothes at Doorstep.

Youth and J-Walkers group spent Sunday, March 10, volunteering at Ronald McDonald House. They completed a number of house-cleaning tasks and donated items for the house’s pantry.

8 Churches. 8 Pastors. 8 Messages.
It’s not about a religion. It’s about a relationship.

Baxter Springs First Christian Church was one of eight churches to participate in the Uniting HIS Kingdom Revival February 24-March 3.

Eight religious leaders, brought eight messages, in eight churches to show that we are all followers of the same God. They decided that they would not bring the message in their own Church. Each Church hosted and another church’s pastor brought the message each evening.

“It was an amazing event where God’s people got together and worshipped without thought of who belonged to what denomination,” said Cody Graves, Baxter Springs First Christian Church.

This revival was the idea of a group of area religious leaders from varying denominations. They had been meeting regularly in fellowship during the week. They discussed many issues, one of which being the historical taboo of inter-denominational fellowship.

June 2-8
Building Leaders Through Service

Mission Week is a seven day, six-night mission oriented camping experience for youth who have completed grades 8-12. The group will travel to Denver and perform service work at the Tennyson Center for Children. 

Tennyson Center for Children is dedicated to helping children who have experienced severe abuse, neglect, and/or trauma so they can bravely, and safely, change their life’s story. Read more about the Tennyson Center here.

Transportation and carpooling will be arranged once registrations are recieved.

Campers will sign up for one of two work groups: (1) work at the Tennyson Center and (2) will do various hands on projects around the Denver area. Fun group activities around Denver are scheduled for the evenings.

What to bring:

• Sturdy work clothes
• Air mattress & bedding

Meet the Staff:

Director:
Pat Nixon
Pittsburg First Christian Church

Want to volunteer?
Fill out a volunteer form and return to Topeka Regional office.

Camp Pictures:

Camp pictures will be posted below for download. See your camp welcome letter, mailed one week prior to the start of your camp session, for your unique camp password or email Jessica Marston, Communications Specialist, and Camp Photographer. 2019 pictures will be available until December 2019.

Cost & Registration:

The registration fee of $335 covers transportation, meals & snacks, lodging, program, and priceless memories!

Register online below or download the Camp Registration and Health Form and mail with payment to the Topeka Regional office. Maximum enrollment is 32 campers.

Note: This charge will appear as some version of SST*CHRISTIANCHUR840559 MOUNT VERNON OH” on your credit card statement

July 15-20

Pre-High camp is a six day, five night camping experience for youth who have completed grade 8. 

Check in begins at 1 p.m. on the first day of camp and closing worship and departure is at 10 a.m. on the last day of camp.

Meet the Staff:

To be announced.

Want to volunteer? Fill out a volunteer form and return to Topeka Regional office by March 31.

Camp Pictures:

Camp pictures will be posted below for download. See your camp welcome letter, mailed one week prior to the start of your camp session, for your unique camp password or email Jessica Marston, Communications Specialist, and Camp Photographer. 2019 pictures will be available until December 2019.

Cost & Registration:

The registration fee covers meals & snacks, lodging, program, and priceless memories! Register before April 30 for $295.  Registrations received after April 30 pay the full price of $335.

Register online below or download the Camp Registration and Health Form and mail with payment to the Topeka Regional Office. Maximum enrollment is 30 campers.

Note: This charge will appear as some version of SST*CHRISTIANCHUR840559 MOUNT VERNON OH” on your credit card statement