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Dear Presbytery of Southern Kansas, All Saints Sunday is a church holiday that Presbyterians do and don’t observe. It’s on our church calendar. There’s liturgy in the Book of Common Worship. There are hymns appropriate for the day, but unless a congregation had a pastor introduce it at some point, it might go unrecognized or be considered too “Catholic.” Our relationship with saints is different than that of the Roman Catholic Church. We don’t elevate people to sainthood. Ins

Beloved friends, As I considered what to write for “On the Wind,” I was thinking of All Saints Day. I thought of all the saints in this Presbytery, and the gifts of faithful ministry they bring to the work of the church. Many of us think of saints as statues we might see in cathedrals, or long-ago disciples; but we are the saints in the church today. Most of us wouldn’t call ourselves saints, but by definition, in Jesus Christ, we are just that. We are set apart to be God’s h

The Flatlander Bike Ride took place on Saturday, September 19th. This was the first year Peace Connections organized it and First Presbyterian Church helped sponsor it. There were 70 bikers between the ages of one year old and 94 years old! They had four routes to choose from: the three mile, the 30 mile, the 38 mile and the 62 mile! The family group for the three mile route had a police escort from the church parking lot to Broadway. All the bikers made it safely back even w

Rev. Christina Berry Executive Presbyter Last week, ICE personnel conducted sweeps in towns across Western Kansas, with particularly intense activity in Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal. We have congregations in all three towns. This ICE action has created a ripple of fear and need across these communities. In one Dodge City school, it was reported that more than a hundred children were absent the day after the raids. Additionally, many small businesses have temporarily c

Rev. Doris Evans Associate Executive Presbyter Why do we do it? Each year, Presbyterians across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) make a commitment to support one another through per capita giving. This call to generosity is deeply rooted in the values that guide what it means to be Presbyterian. Presbyterians believe in a priesthood of all believers, being a connectional church, and that all worshipping communities are equally important and valuable to God’s church. We rely o

Rev. Catherine Neelly Burton Mission and Ministry Connector Dear Presbytery of Southern Kansas, I started watching the new “Little House on the Prairie” series on Netflix. Unlike the television series from the 1970-80’s that was set in Minnesota, this one is set in Independence, KS. (Though it was filmed in Canada.) In one episode of the new series, townspeople come together to build the first church in Independence. I preached at First Presbyterian of Independence on Sunday,

Rev. Christina Berry Executive Presbyter Dear Friends, I love sunflowers. This time of year, when the wild sunflowers are filling the ditches and byways, may be one of my favorite seasons in Kansas. Sunflowers, as you know, are heliotropic – they turn toward the sun. And they signal the change of season. In fact, I am writing this letter to you on the autumnal equinox. From now until spring, the days will grow shorter and the nights will grow longer. This change of season as

Dear Friends, I did not write a contribution to this most recent issue of On the Wind, because I am presently at General Assembly in Milwaukee and will not return until July 3. I’m looking forward to getting home and to celebrating our nation’s 250thanniversary in Kingman. I know that there are many celebrations of many kinds in many places for Independence Day. And some churches enjoy hearing and singing certain patriotic songs and hymns on the Sunday nearest the 4th of July

Dear Presbytery of Southern Kansas, Your church has the gifts it needs to be the church of Jesus Christ. Each church in our presbytery is equipped by God for ministry. Your gifts are plentiful. Now, they may be different gifts than you had in your congregation 5 years ago, or 15 years ago, or 45 years ago. And sometimes you might wish you had different gifts or different people with those gifts, but you have gifts, and it’s time to explore and develop those gifts. We are ki

Dear Friends, I’ve been asked a couple of times lately to write some reflections for weddings. I gladly do this for my friends, who tell me I have a way with words. I really enjoy writing and I’m happy to do it. But this year for the first time, I’ve wondered if I should add something to my writing to assure folks that I actually did write it myself! So as I begin this reflection on June, I want to assure you that I’m writing every word, not using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

To celebrate Rev. Doris Evans receiving her Doctorate of Ministry, the Garden City United Presbyterian Church will hold a reception Sunday, June 7 at 12:00pm (following worship). The church address is 1719 E. Texas St. The reception is for all graduates connected to the church, including Rev. Evans, whose doctorate is in Missional Leadership, bestowed May 29 from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Rev. Evans has served the Garden City congregation since October 2020, first as I

Dear Presbytery of Southern Kansas, Your church has the gifts it needs to be the church of Jesus Christ. Each church in our presbytery is equipped by God for ministry. Your gifts are plentiful. Now, they may be different gifts than you had in your congregation 5 years ago, or 15 years ago, or 45 years ago. And sometimes you might wish you had different gifts or different people with those gifts, but you have gifts, and it’s time to explore and develop those gifts. We are kick

I’ve been asked a couple of times lately to write some reflections for weddings. I gladly do this for my friends, who tell me I have a way with words. I really enjoy writing and I’m happy to do it. But this year for the first time, I’ve wondered if I should add something to my writing to assure folks that I actually did write it myself! So as I begin this reflection on June, I want to assure you that I’m writing every word, not using Artificial Intelligence (AI)! I’m not sure

by Doris Evans These pictures are from stops around the Presbytery and the beautiful sanctuaries and stained glass. Click on each photo to see in full size. First Presbyterian Church, Dodge City - Sanctuary First Presbyterian Church, Larned - Sanctuary Trinity Presbyterian Church, Wichita - Sanctuary Trinity Presbyterian Church, Wichita - Atrium Descending Dove from the Chapel at United Presbyterian, Garden City

Join us for a small gathering of retired Presbyterian Pastors and/or spouses! When: Tuesday May 5 at 9:45 am Dutch treat coffee and muffins, scones, bagels, poppyseed bread or cinnamon rolls at Cabin Pie Company - 201 S Main, Whitewater, KS A menu (lavender background) is attached along with the items that may be pre-ordered (on the white background) by May 1 and picked up on May 5 to take home with you! The Cabin Pie Co. Bakery & Coffee Shop is spacious, clean and in a remo

To assist pastors and congregational leaders as they seek to understand better the recent updates to the Benefits Plan, there will be an opportunity to participate in one of two Zoom Benefits Summit. Among topics to be covered, you will hear about: Medical Plan cost trends and changes in the healthcare system Dues package subsidies that would ease financial burdens for congregations, pastors, and their families Plans and programs that support those who serve the Church, i

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Wichita will serve as a local host site for the 2026 National Faith + Climate Forum on Saturday, April 25. This nationwide event will bring together people of faith to engage the urgent and hopeful work of climate justice through worship, learning, and action. The forum will run from 12:00–5:30 p.m. (ET), with Trinity opening its doors at 10:00 a.m. local time for participants to gather and prepare. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear fr

The Synod Assembly met at the Heartland Conference and Retreat Center in Parkville Missouri on March 27 and 28. In addition to business of the Synod, PCUSA co-Moderator the Rev. Cecelia Armstrong, joined us and gave a message based on Luke 6:27-38 titled "What did Jesus Say". More information about the business of the Synod will be at the April 28 Presbytery Meeting at Hutchinson. Our commissioners, Nam Choi, Presbytery Executive Christina Berry, Melissa Krabbe, PCUSA co-mode

Doris Evans Associate Executive Presbyter Greetings! I am traveling West these days in the Presbytery and I have found a love for the many different sights in our churches. I have always been intrigued by stained glass and the artifacts we have and the meaning they have in our buildings. The pictures below are from the sanctuary at Leoti Presbyterian Church. And while taking this picture, I was reminded about the rooster that crowed with Peter’s denial. I also visited Tribune

Catherine Neelly Burton Mission and Ministry Connector Dear Presbytery of Southern Kansas, Churches are part of communities. You know this. Your churches are part of neighborhoods and towns. You partner with other churches, ministry organizations, and community organizations. I see this again and again in my work. Some of our presbytery churches give out food, or sell affordable clothes, or provide transportation. Other churches give space or partner with schools. There is no