This June, I spent a week at the Episcopal Summer camp at Camp Wood, YMCA as a first-time counselor. Since leaving, I’ve had several dreams in the CWCU (Camp Wood Cinematic Universe). In one dream, I was building a shrine in my cabin when I lost track of time. I was hanging friendship bracelets, ornaments, … The post Dreaming of Camp appeared first on Episcopal Diocese of Kansas ..read more

Saint Francis Ministries’ Advocacy Team helped make history last month with the passage of the SOUL Family Option, making Kansas the first state in nation to adopt the permanency option that gives teens 16 or older in foster care the opportunity to obtain legal permanency and transition into adulthood via a custodian of their choice.  Late last year, a delegation from the Annie E. Casey Foundation visited Salina to meet with Saint Francis staff to talk about SOUL Family, an innovative idea that could revolutionize the way providers do permanency in the child welfare system. The idea was s ..read more

Yesterday was a much-anticipated day in the life of the Episcopal Church: the Election of the next Presiding Bishop. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York, was overwhelmingly elected on the first ballot. At 49, he is the second-youngest presiding bishop ever, and the first Gen X presiding bishop.  When the House of Deputies received word before lunch that the election was complete, there was an audible gasp and excited murmuring throughout the House. Without knowing the outcome, we then had to wait until after lunch to hear the announcement and vot ..read more

It is not every day that you get to be a witness to history being made, but one of the joys and privileges of serving as a deputy from the Diocese of Kansas at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church is that on any given day you just might! Having represented our diocese at the 2015, 2018, 2022, and now 2024 General Conventions as either a Deputy or an Alternate I have been blessed by witnessing some truly amazing moments over the years. Marriage equality and the election of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in 2015; the reunification of the Diocese of Cuba to the Episc ..read more

Hello from Louisville. I’m Michael Funston from St. Margaret’s, Lawrence, and I am serving as a lay deputy to the 81stGeneral Convention of the Episcopal Church. Sunday, June 23 was the first legislative session of the convention. Other highlights of the day were the opening Eucharist and the Province VII reception.  The day began with early morning legislative committee hearings where testimony was heard on various resolutions that are under consideration for this General Convention. Then we gathered in the main ballroom at the convention center for the Opening Eucharist of this General ..read more

The 81st General Convention is my first. Frankly, I am joyfully overwhelmed as I navigate the work of Convention. On Saturday, I attended a legislative committee hearing where potential changes and new options for liturgy were considered. The hearing opened my eyes to the beautiful and lengthy work that legislative committees put into the programs and processes of the Episcopal Church between Conventions. I find the work to be deliberate, deep, and thoughtful. One of the options discussed at the hearing was the suggestion that an option be offered in the Book of Common Prayer for The Peace t ..read more

Greetings from Louisville, KY, where I am serving as a Diocese of Kansas (elected) clergy Deputy for the General Convention of The Episcopal Church on its first full day. I am one of eight deputies (four clergy, four lay) and a few alternates, along with others from our diocese. This triennial event is the main way that our denomination attends to its business. It happens to be the oldest continuously-operating bicameral legislature in the world! We are divided into two houses – the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops – that must work closely together across a number of ..read more

From May 30th to June 2nd, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Mission, Kansas enjoyed the privilege of hosting the Very Reverend Dr. Robert Willis, Dean Emeritus of the Cathedral in Canterbury, England – the mother church of the Anglican-Episcopal Communion. When Dean Willis and his partner arrived, he was entertained by Bishop Bascom with a dinner in Prairie Village, Kansas restaurant.His official visit kicked off with a first-of-its-kind gathering of all-metro Episcopal clergy from both the Diocese of Kansas and Diocese of West Missouri. Dean Willis presented a message of encou ..read more

The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas invites the parishes and congregations of the diocese to participate in this opportunity to secure a matching grant. Grant applications will be considered for outreach projects and ministries that support the mission of enabling parishioners to fulfill their baptismal covenant to serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world. Grants are considered for one-time projects, with a maximum match of $3,000 per grant. The grant application, which includes more information on the scope and requirements of projects may be found on ..read more

Episcopalians have been attending Summer Camp the first week in June at Camp Wood YMCA for over 80 years. And this Sunday June 2nd, over 150 campers and 45 adult staff members will gather for a week of activities such as horseback riding, archery, climbing tower, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, water slide, mud slide, arts and crafts, and sports. The volunteer Episcopal staff provides solid Christian education, featuring worship, music, small group discussions, and prayer. The theme for this year’s program is “Linked by Love.” Please pray that our campers and staff have a wonderful week exp ..read more