http://www.kswestumc.org/news_home.aspnothing provideden-usFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=692http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=692United Methodist Communications ldquo;I work as a birth mother counselor/caseworker at a private adoption agency in San Antonio,rdquo; said 2008 Trinity University graduate Erin Shanti Smith. ldquo;I did undergraduate research on adoptions while in school and was able to use the contacts to get the job. ldquo;I enjoy the work, though sometimes it is emotionally trying. I never know what to expect. I love working with people. Getting to be a part of the adoption experience for families has toucWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=691http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=691WICHITA ndash; Bishops Ann B. Sherer-Simpson, Nebraska, and Scott J. Jones, Kansas, have announced the 21 members of the Transition Team for the new episcopal area. Team members were elected by the Nebraska Conference Common Table, Kansas East Conference Leadership Team and the Kansas West Conference Focus Team. The Transition Team will meet the first time Nov. 22 from 4-7 p.m. at Lowman United Methodist Church in Topeka. Team members from Kansas West are: Rev. Pat Ault-Duell Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:55:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=690http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=690By Lisa Elliott Diehl Marketing and Communications director LEAWOODmdash;Rev. Adam Hamilton told the participants at the 2009 Leadership Institute that worship is not a fast-food meal. He talked about the preparations the United Methodist Church of the Resurrectionrsquo;s barbecue team went through to prepare a meal for the young-adult clergy Hamilton had invited into his home in the week leading up to the institute. The team spent 15 hours preparing the meal. ldquo;What if we had the same lWed, 11 Nov 2009 15:19:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=689http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=689WICHITAmdash;The United Methodist Church has identified four areas of focus to revitalize churches across the denomination. One of those areas is eradicating poverty worldwide. United Methodists in the Kansas West Conference are invited to take that challenge seriously by establishing a partnership with the people and churches of the Zimbabwe East Conference of the United Methodist Church. The people of Zimbabwe need help building churches and skill centers and combating killer diseases, anothTue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=688http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=688ARGONIA--On Sept. 13, Argonia United Methodist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary. Bishop Scott Jones delivered the sermon at the morning worship service. Also in attendance was the Wichita West District Superintendent, Rev. Janet Hernandez. Four of the former ministers were able to be present for the days celebration. Following the morning worship service a covered dish dinner was held in the fellowship hall. The afternoon program was an informal celebration with the puppets making a presThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=687http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=687By Rebecca Stark BUHLERmdash;Buhler United Methodist Church hosted their thirdannual chili cook-off Oct. 3, in conjunction with Buhlerrsquo;s ldquo;Fall Frolicrdquo; event. The proceeds of the competition go toward various Mission and Ministry projects, such as paying Mission and Ministry apportionments, adopting a local family for Thanksgiving, adopting another family for Christmas and assisting the Buhler Grade School children with clothing and school supplies as needed. This year, there werThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=686http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=686WICHITAmdash;East Heights United Methodist Churchrsquo;s senior pastor, Rev. J.C. Kelley, dedicated a new Holy Communion table on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4. The table was the culmination of a project begun nearly a year earlier. The result, rendered in oak to match the color and texture of the sanctuary chancel paneling, is a 7-foot-long table with Christian symbols, traditional architectural motifs and hand-carved lettering on the front. Though weighing nearly 350 pounds, the new table caThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=685http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=685ByRev. David Ragland and Judy Mellott PEABODYmdash;Peabody United Methodist Church hosted a ldquo;Celebration Sundayrdquo; Sept. 13, beginning with a ldquo;Second Sundayrdquo; breakfast hosted by the Truth Seekers Sunday school class. Following the breakfast, Sunday school promotion was held for all children going into the fourth grade and seventh grade. Third graders are presented with Bibles. All members then went to their new classes. A collection of school supplies for USD 398 that had beThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=684http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=684By Linda Cunningham CLAY CENTERmdash;When Rev. Mike Graber was assigned to the Fact, Green and Morganville United Methodist churches in July 1997, his wife, Sharlan, was a pastor-in-training at the Ebenezer and Hayes UMCs. I was a member at Hayes and came to know and appreciate Sharlan. When Bishop Fritz Mutti ordained Sharlan at the 2002 Kansas West Annual Conference, we rejoiced with her. It also was announced that Mike and Sharlan would begin their new appointments in the Kansas East ConfeThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=681http://www.kswestumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=681By Lorna Geist Special contributor BENTONmdash;In todayrsquo;s weak economy, many people in our communities find themselves in danger of disconnected utilities and, even worse, facing eviction. The Benton United Methodist Church believes that when families face tough financial difficulties money helps, but the real need of people is Jesus Christ. Recently a member, ldquo;Sam,rdquo; who has just come through some struggles himself, brought a friend to the church in need of assistance. Her husbMon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST