By Rev. Ken Marston, Co-Regional Minister
“Thoughts from your Regional Minister”
Kansas Messenger article published November 2022.
November. The eleventh month of the year. Daylight savings time ends. The weather is turning colder. Advent is almost upon us, but before we get there, Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a holiday designed to make us pause, take a breath, and remember that we are truly blessed. We are blessed by the abundance of creation around us. We are blessed by our family and friends that care for us and nurture us.
We are blessed to live in a country, despite our turbulent political climate, that is relatively safe. A place where most of us have somewhere to sleep at night and an abundance of food to put on our tables. A place where we have productive employment that helps give our lives meaning.
As we remember these blessings, I pray we will be motivated to become a blessing to our neighbors so that all who are in need will have those needs met.
This year, I find myself more grateful than normal. Recently, I had to undergo abdominal surgery to deal with an attack of diverticulitis. For six months I was treated with several courses of antibiotics. After three CT scans, a visit to a urologist, and getting poked and prodded in places I prefer not to detail, I finally had the surgery.
Throughout this time, I am grateful for Josh Leu, pastor of my home church in Great Bend. I am grateful for Terri Horde-Owens our General Minister and President who called to check up on me. I am grateful for Tom Stanley’s support and willingness to pick up the slack in regional ministry during my time off.
I am also grateful for the cards, emails and phone calls from family, friends, and colleagues. I am especially thankful for those in leadership throughout the Christian Church in Kansas for their support, their concern, and their leadership in this time.
We truly have a great regional church. Kansas has been a blessing to me and my family. I pray that all of you have a happy Thanksgiving, and I hope that you will take the time to say thank you to your family and friends for the blessing they are to you.