49th Annual Diocese of Western Kansas Convention

October 18-19, 2019

Dodge City Kansas

The 49th Annual Diocesan Convention was held in Dodge City on October 18-19. The Convention opened with the Opening Eucharist at St. Cornelius Church. Bishop  Cowell gave his Bishop’s  Address at this time. He asked, What is our ministry?” “How do we fulfill our mission and how do we close the gap in Western Kansas and how do we get there from here?”  We have churches now that are “closing the gap” Clothes closets and giveaways', soup kitchens, and food banks, and helping those in need. Bishop Mark wanted us to remember three things: First, every time we do something to close the gap, we live into our mission we are being the church! Secondly, is being intentional about doing these things. Hold ourselves accountable. Keep doing the things that are working and some of the things that may not be working may need to go. Lastly, the message is the same, but the way it is delivered may need to change with the times. He finished by saying, “Let’s close the gap!” You can watch his Bishops address on our website at:

https://www.diowks.org/bishop-s-media

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New Members Elected to Diocesan Committees

Sending Congratulations to the members of our Diocesan  Committees, who were elected at Diocesan Convention.

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Standing Committee (3yr term)

The Rev. Canon Shay Craig (Salina)

Mr. Michael Wamsley (Hutchinson)

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Diocesan Council (3yr term)

The Rev. Teresa Lahar (Great Bend) (2yr term)

The Rev. Charles Kerschen (Kingman)

The Rev. Jeff Mitchell (Liberal)

Mr. James Lemon (Pratt)

Mr. Harry Smith (Salina)

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Commission On Ministry (2yr term)

The Rev. Mary Hixson (Anthony)

The Rev. Amy Long (Hutchinson)

Mrs. Jacki Mitchell (Liberal)

Mrs. Carolyn Peterson (Salina)

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                    INVITE|WELCOME|CONNECT

At the Diocesan Convention. We were honored to have Mary Parmer present our workshop                Invite|Welcome|Connect.

Mary Parmer is the founder of Invite|Welcome|Connect and is a congregational development consultant/coach, speaker, and retreat leader living in Sewanee, Tennessee. She serves as Director of  Invite|Welcome|Connect, a transformational ministry of evangelism, hospitality and belonging now housed at the Beecken Center, School of Theology, University of the South.

Invite Welcome Connect is a ministry of transformation that equips and empowers congregations and individuals to cultivate intentional practices of  evangelism, hospitality, and belonging rooted in the gospel directive to, “Go and make disciples of all nations”  (Matthew 28:19).

Mary generated much excitement about her program. The Diocese is working on bringing an all day workshop to Western Kansas next year. The diocese purchased a copy of Mary Parmer’s book for each church who wanted one. Our request is that the book is read before the workshop next year.

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BISHOP CROSSES’ PRESENTED AT CONVENTION BANQUET

On Friday Night’s Banquet, Bishop Cowell awarded the Bishop’s Cross to several individuals for their work at their, churches, diocese and communities. Congratulations to them all!