Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected]. Please include your name and contact information. In the event of inclement weather, contact the church or organization to see if the event is still being held.

Holy Family Parish will sponsor a chili supper with turkey bingo at 5 p.m. Nov. 10 at Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kansas. A chili supper, dessert, beverage and one bingo card will be available for a $15 donation. Those attending must be 21 and older.

The Gospel Non-Violence Study Group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 6, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Peg Burns Kerbawy.
Scripture Study and Reflection group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Heather Neds.
The Holy Women Series will focus on Sister Thea Bowman in a program from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The program will be presented by Diane Laughlin.
The Keeler Women’s Center is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters. Call 913-906-8990 for more information and reservations.

Volunteers are needed for Samaritan’s Purse’s project, Operation Christmas Child. In this program, led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, volunteers fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The shoeboxes are given to needy children. Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries since 1993. This year, the local Kansas City, Kansas West Area Team hopes to collect 15,782 shoebox gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in need. Shannon Zaring leads the local Kansas City, Kansas, West Area Team for Operation Christmas Child. To learn more about joining the Kansas City, Kansas West Area Team Area Team or to apply for leadership opportunities, visit samaritanspurse.org/volunteerwithOCC.

Parkway Baptist Church, 12320 Parallel Parkway, plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the church classrooms. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Sacred Heart parish, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a bingo night at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. Concessions will be available.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., will collect Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes on Sunday, Nov. 4.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will join in a national effort ringing bells that will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I at 11 minutes after 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.

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Community calendar

Affirmations group to meet
An Affirmations and Living Free Growth Group for Women will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Mondays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group’s purpose is to help women change the way they think about themselves and their lives. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Raising safe kids program continues
The ACT Raising Safe Kids Program will continue from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The presenter is Heather Neds. On Oct. 15, the topic will be “Understanding and Controlling Parents’ Anger.” On Oct. 22, the topic will be “Understanding and Helping Angry Children.” For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Writing group to meet
Quill and Pluma, a bilingual writing and e-publishing collaborative, will meet from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Kari O’Rourke. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Author to speak on World War II book at KCK Library
Kansas author Ronda Hassig will give a presentation on her latest book, “The Greatest Test of Courage,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in the Main Library auditorium, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Her book tells the story of Lt. Col. Edward Mack and his last three years in the Philippines as a Japanese prisoner of war. Edward Mack had everything: a wife, a newborn son, and his dream job. But as a West Point graduate stationed in the Philippines, his life changed forever on Dec. 7, 1941. Not long after, he would survive the Bataan Death March, Camps O’Donnell, and Cabanatuan. His final destination was Fukuoka, Japan, but first he was forced to endure the Hell Ships. In the end, only his ashes returned to his family in 1948. Hassig’s presentation includes images of source documents used to write the book, historical background, and timeline of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II. She will sign books following the event. Born and raised in Lawrence, Hassig is a fifth-generation Kansan, former school librarian and Kansas Master teacher. She has always loved Kansas history and her first book, “The Abduction of Jacob Wrote,” is set during Quantrill’s Raid.

Program offered on healthy relationships

“Healthy Relationships: Domestic Violence Education and Support” will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Jaime Peterson. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Caregivers support group to meet
A caregivers support group will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is for men and women. It is facilitated by Jackie Tigges, LSCSW. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Parenting support group to meet
A parenting support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The education and support group is presented by Marqueia Watson, MSW. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Knitting and crocheting group to meet
A knitting and crocheting group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending may learn a new skill or work on a current project. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, offers programs for Spanish-speaking women: Las Mujeres, Mary Ellen Rodriquez y Anna Maria Sauer, los Martes 10 – 11:30 a.m. Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, contacte a Sinead McDonough, llame al 816-285-1349, los martes, 11:30 – 1 p.m.; Que le Sucede A Mi Hijo Adolescent?: Con lider Claudia Perez, el Miércoles 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., 7 de Noviembre – la adolescencia de hoy, 14 de Noviembre – los problemas actuals en la adolescencia; La Hora Financiera, con lider Brenda Mortell, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Jueves 1 de Noviembre; El centro de mujeres Keeler ofrece consejeria espiritual a mujeres y hombres en espanol y ingles. Gratis. Se aceptan donaciones. Llame al 913-906-8990 para hacer su cita o para mas informacion. For more information and registration, call 913-906-8990.

Women’s self-defense program offered
A women’s self-defense program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave, Kansas City, Kansas. The program is facilitated by Sidney Thompson. Kansas City Tsuruoka Karate will teach ways to defend oneself and others. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

BPU to meet Nov. 7
The Board of Public Utilities will meet at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the BPU offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. On the agenda for the 4:30 p.m. work session are a board update, general manager update, a continuation of the staffing proposal and a revenue forecast. On the agenda for the regular meeting at 6 p.m. are a visitors’ time, third-quarter financial report, board comments and general manager comments. The BPU Finance Committee will meet from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the BPU board room at the administration building, 540 Minnesota Ave.

‘Pretty Nails’ program offered
Appointments for a “Pretty Nails” program will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Those interested must call 913-906-8990 to schedule an appointment.

Fairfax Industrial Association to meet Nov. 8
The Fairfax Industrial Association will meet for a luncheon at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Blue Hat Crane, 240 S. 65th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The program will be presented by Larry Diehl, local historian, on Kansas City development and its railroad history. The cost of the luncheon is $25. Registration is due by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, to https://fiakck.org/product/november-2108-luncheon-fee/.

UG Ethics Commission to meet Nov. 8
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Wyandotte County Courthouse, second floor, Division 18, the old county commissioners’ chambers, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

UG Commission to meet Nov. 8
The Unified Government Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N.7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. An agenda may be posted at www.wycokck.org.

Veterans Day Commemoration event to be Nov. 10
The annual Wyandotte County Veterans Day Commemoration event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, 6723 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The guest speaker will be Retired Sgt. First Class Gretchen Meitler, a veteran of the Iraq war and member of Tonganoxie VFW Post 9271. A brunch will be served. This year’s program will recognize current era veterans, with a special acknowledgment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The free community event is presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6401. Partners and sponsors include the Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber, the Kansas City, Kansas, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library and Providence Medical Center.

Chili dinner planned Nov. 10
A chili dinner is planned, with a veterans’ ceremony, from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Grinter Place, 78th and K-32, Kansas City, Kansas. The cost of the dinner will be $8 for adults, $4 for veterans with ID, and $4 for youth under 12. Tours of the Grinter House will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for $6 for adults and $3 for children. A flag ceremony for veterans will be held at 4:30 p.m. The event will include live music and a silent auction. At 3 p.m. the Grinter walking trail will be dedicated.

Santa arrives on Nov. 10 at Cabela’s
Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Cabela’s, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. After arriving in front of the store in a boat, Santa Claus will participate in a tree lighting ceremony. Then Santa will open the Santa’s Wonderland section inside the Cabela’s store. A number of free activities, including crafts and games for the family, are planned through 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wonderland area. The area will include remote control trucks, a laser-foam toy arcade and Lincoln Logs building area, among other games. Hot chocolate and cookies are planned. There are also free photos with Santa Claus, and free visits with Santa. Santa’s Wonderland will run through Dec. 24 at Cabela’s. Santa will appear daily, and a schedule will be posted at the Cabela’s store.

KCK school board to meet Nov. 13
The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education will meet at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Central Middle School, 925 Ivandale, Kansas City, Kansas. An agenda may be posted at www.kckps.org.

Food service class to be Nov. 13
The ServSafe Food Handlers Course will be offered Nov. 13. The last ServSafe class of 2018 will be offered from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13. The class is for food service employees, including anyone interested in food service employment. The cost of the class is $10, which includes class material, a work book and a certificate. A “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 2019” class will start March 5. The class is offered a few times a year and provides an exercise program for older adults that targets strength, balance and flexibility. For more information, or to register for the classes, call K-State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County, 913-299-9300, or email Lori Wuellner, [email protected], or Jo McLeland, [email protected].

NAACP to meet Nov. 13
The Kansas City, Kansas, Branch of the NAACP will meet on Nov. 13 at 21 N. 12th St., Suite 230, Kansas City, Kansas. The meeting was changed from Nov. 6 because of Election Day. The branch election of officers and executive committee will be from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular executive committee meeting at 6 p.m., and the regular membership meeting at 7 p.m. Members are encouraged to participate in the branch election and regularly monthly meetings.

Greeting card program planned Nov. 14
A program on creating greeting cards will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Participants may create personalized cards. Supplies will be provided. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Women’s Chamber to meet Nov. 14
The Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Board of Public Utilities offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The guest speaker will be Lauren Lane, an entrepreneur in the food and entertaining field, who has past career experience in creative design and management. The cost of the luncheon is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required. For more information, see https://kckwomenschamber.org/.

Healthy living program offered Nov. 14
“Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” will be offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The program will be led by Pat Callahan and Lori Wuellner. The program will discuss diet, nutrition, exercise, cognitive ability and social engagement for healthy aging. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Eisenhower craft show to be Nov. 17
The Eisenhower Christmas craft show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kansas.

Leavenworth Road Association to meet Nov. 27
The Leavenworth Road Association will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kansas. A potluck dinner and social hour will be at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. The program will be information on the new trash pickup routes. For more information, call 913-788-3988 or email [email protected].

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, offers individual and couples counseling and individual spiritual direction to women and men —available in English and Spanish. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information.

Wyandotte County Museum
For information about the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.facebook.com/wycomuseum/.

Strawberry Hill Museum
For information about The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, call 913-371-3264 or visit www.strawberryhillmuseum.org.

Grinter Place Museum
The Grinter Place State Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan., is one of the oldest homes in the area, built in 1857. For more information about hours and days it is open, call 913-299-0373 or visit http://www.kshs.org/p/grinter-place-plan-your-visit/15857.

Old Quindaro Museum
The Old Quindaro Museum is at 3432 N. 29th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information about the museum, call 816-820-3615 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ccoqmuseum/.

Davids says she’ll reopen constituent services office in Wyandotte County

Attending a “Souls to the Polls” campaign event Saturday at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, were, left to right, Brian McClendon, Democratic candidate for secretary of state; Sharice Davids, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District; Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor; and former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Sharice Davids, left, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District, visited with Jane Hatch after speaking at the “Souls to the Polls” campaign event Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)


by Mary Rupert

Sharice Davids, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District, today pledged to reopen a constituent services office in Wyandotte County if she is elected.

Davids spoke at a “Souls to the Polls” rally at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. She was joined by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly and Democratic secretary of state candidate Brian McClendon at the rally.

There hasn’t been a 3rd District Congressional constituent services office in Wyandotte County in the last several years that Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., has been in office. Yoder’s office has been in Overland Park in Johnson County. His predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-3rd Dist., had an office in Kansas City, Kansas.

People shouldn’t have to travel that far to get services or see their representative, Davids said.

Davids talked about connecting to the people. She said that in Washington, D.C., “it’s very clear you’ve got a bunch of people making decisions that affect our everyday lives” who do not know how those decisions affect people.

Currently, according to Davids’ website, she has campaign field offices on North 5th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, and in Overland Park. If elected, she will have a constituent office in Wyandotte County as well as one in Johnson County.

Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor, emphasized the importance of voter turnout today in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor, said, “Wyandotte County can swing this election.”

She talked about the importance of the voter turnout. She said that in the Republican primary for governor, only 343 votes separated the first and second places. Kelly faces Kris Kobach, the current Republican secretary of state, in the governor’s contest.

Kelly said Kansas is now recovering from eight years of the Republican administration, and “we certainly can’t afford the U-turn off the cliff.”

“We’ve already seen incredible turnouts for advance voting,” Kelly said. “We need to take our state back.”

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said that she and Laura Kelly will be joined by former Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, in campaign appearances on Monday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, also a former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, said “We’ve been missing a voice for this district for a long time.”

Sebelius said former Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, will join Kelly and Sebelius on Monday in campaigning.

“We need to make sure that everybody gets out and casts their ballot,” Sebelius said.

Brian McClendon, Democratic candidate for Kansas secretary of state, said early voting turnout is up in Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Brian McClendon, the Democratic candidate for Kansas secretary of state, said there were already 340,000 votes cast in Kansas in early voting as of this morning.

That includes 140,000 cast in the 3rd District, “because of Sharice Davids,” McClendon said.

McClendon said that is 30 percent over the 2014 numbers.

He urged the campaign volunteers to work to get the voter turnout up, and especially, try to reach those who usually only vote in presidential elections.

Alyce Edwards, vice chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democrats, predicted a good turnout of Wyandotte County women and youth in the upcoming general election. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Alyce Edwards, vice chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democrats, was in the audience with about 50 others today and said she believes residents of the 3rd District will elect six more Democrats to seats in the Kansas House.

“I believe the women and young people of Wyandotte County are going to come out, and going to show out, and bring about changes in Topeka and the 3rd District,” Edwards said.

State Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist., who is running unopposed for re-election, attended the meeting and afterward was asked if she was afraid of a caravan of undocumented immigrants coming through Mexico toward the United States.

She said that she was not afraid, and it was sad that some are trying to demonize the refugees. Looking at photos of the refugees, she realized they have been through so much and there are a lot of youth in the group, she added. She was in favor of letting the refugees go through the process of requesting asylum.

Also attending today’s rally, but not speaking, were Tony Martinez, a candidate for Wyandotte County District Court judge; Dr. Evelyn Hill and former Mayor Carol Marinovich.

The “Souls to the Polls” campaign event was held Saturday at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Former Mayor Carol Marinovich, center, received applause at Saturday’s “Souls to the Polls” campaign event in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)