Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected].

Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Christmas craft fair continues Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21, at the church basement. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. The church will have a Christmas Eve Mass at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, and a Christmas Day Mass at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 25.

Songs and a Christmas message will be featured at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Haven Baptist Church, 3430 Hutton Road, Kansas City, Kan. Traditional carols and newer songs will be featured.

Judson Baptist Church,
8300 State Ave., will hold a morning worship service at 11 a.m. Dec. 21. The Sunday School Christmas program will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. A Christmas Eve service will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Holy Woman, Miriam, the Sister of Moses,” presented by Jenny Greene, pastoral minister at St. Teresa’s Academy, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

A weekly Scripture Group with Bible Sharing and Reflection, Lectio and Journaling, is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Heather Neds is a pastoral minister and leads the group at Keeler Women’s Center. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., will hold a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., will observe the fourth Sunday in Advent Dec. 21. Services in English will be at 10 a.m.; in Spanish at 1:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services in English will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. Christmas Day service in English and Spanish will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 25.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St., will hold Christmas Masses at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 24, and at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Dec. 25.

Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., will hold a Christmas concert, “Repeat the Joy!” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Favorite Christmas songs and carols will be performed, in a variety of musical styles. Trinity will hold a Christmas Eve by Candlelight service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. It will feature the Festival Brass Quintette. The church grounds will be glowing with hundreds of luminaria on Christmas Eve.

Welborn Community United Church of Christ, 5217 Leavenworth Road, will hold Christmas Eve services at 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland, plans a Christmas Eve candlelight service and communion at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events by about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

Strawberry Hill Museum open for holidays
The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., has opened for the holidays and will remain open on weekends through Sunday, Jan. 26. The museum, decorated in Victorian style, is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with special tours available by appointment. The cost of a tour is $7 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Call 913-371-3264 for more information or to make reservations. Holiday parties also may be booked. For more information, see http://www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Food giveaway to be today at 65th and State
Kansas City Kansas Community College is once again a partner with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Harvesters for food giveaways this month. A food giveaway is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at KCKCC-TEC, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Food will be given to families on a first come, first serve basis. There are no income restrictions to the food giveaway. Food will be given to families based on the number of people in the family, and will be given out while supplies last. Cars can line up prior to 1 p.m. in the KCKCC-TEC parking lot. However, if participants arrive early, there is no restroom availability at the TEC during the event. In addition, those attending are asked to be prepared to wait in long lines. For more information or to register to be a volunteer online, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e48a8a828aa8-volunteers. Information is also available by contacting Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas at 913-433-2080.

Project Feederwatch continues
Project Feederwatch continues at the Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. The bird count is planned each Saturday when people sign up in advance. For more information, call 913-299-2384.

Winter craft projects offered at library
As part of Winter Craft Week, the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd, will offer various winter craft projects today for children 4 to 11 years old. Groups of six or more must call ahead to the library at 913-596-5800, Ext. 1016. The craft projects are free and open to the public.

Enroll for health insurance today

Help with open enrollment for health insurance will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the South Branch Library, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Staff from Community Health Council of Wyandotte County will help with open enrollment, and there will be assistance in Burmese in the morning and assistance in Spanish in the afternoon.
The West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd, also will offer help with enrolling for health insurance from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, in the library’s auditorium.

Craft program offered on making holiday purses
A children’s and tweens’ program on making no-sew holiday purses will be offered from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, storytime-craft room, 625 Minnesota Ave. The event is for ages 4 to 12. Registration is requested to 913-279-2216. The class is limited to 20 persons.

Blood drive scheduled Dec. 24
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at Providence Medical Center, classrooms ABC, 8929 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Other blood drives coming up include one from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Haley Bernard Honorary Blood Drive Training Room, 13001 Metropolitan Ave.; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 30 at the University of Kansas Hospital Francisco Lounge, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers these programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: les invitamos a disfrutar, compartir, recibe apoyo, con lideres Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, 6, 13, 20 y 27 de enero, 10-11 a.m. Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, los martes, 1-2:30 p.m. Para registrarse contacte a Marie Alcocer, Llame 816-285-1357.

NAACP to meet Jan. 6
The Kansas City, Kan., Branch NAACP will meet Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Bethany Medical Office Building, 21 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kan. The meeting will start at 5 p.m. with the installation of officers followed by a presentation from newly elected president, Richard Mabion. The Executive Committee meeting will start at 6 p.m., followed by the general membership meeting at 7 p.m. Year-end reports of committee activities for January through December 2014 will be required. For more information, call 913-281-7900 or fax 913-281-7847.

Program offered to help with chronic disease
Registration is currently being accepted for a free program beginning Jan. 7 that will help persons manage chronic disease or diabetes. The public is invited to attend the workshop. This program will start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central, Kansas City, Kan. Workshop dates include Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, and Feb. 11. Each session will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. At the workshop people will learn about what they can do to deal with their chronic disease or diabetes. To be discussed are practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, learning about better nutrition and exercise choices, understanding treatment choices, and finding better ways to talk with the doctor and family about health. The workshop is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. For more information, contact the K-State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County Office, at 913-299-9300 or email Lori Wuellner, [email protected] or Nozella Brown, [email protected].

‘Optimizing Your Health’ offered beginning Jan. 7
“Optimizing Your Health,” a six-week program designed for those who suffer from chronic illness or are caregivers, will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 7–Feb. 11, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Topics include: “Ways to Reduce your Pain, How to Deal with Fatigue, Frustration and Isolation, How to talk to your Doctor about Your Health, How to make Choices about Your Treatment.” Presenters are Nozella Brown and Lori Wuellner of K-State Extension Consumer Sciences. Call 913-906-8990 to register. Materials will be provided at no cost to participants.

Parenting class begins Jan. 7
“Real World Love and Logic,” a three-part series, will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 7-21, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. To register, call 913-906-8990. Child care is available on a limited basis if requested in advance. The class is free.

Personal finance workshop offered Jan. 8
“Planning Your Spending Budget” will be presented by Wells Fargo Bank in partnership with Heartland Habitat for Humanity, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave, Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Fairfax group to meet Jan. 8
The Fairfax Industrial Association will hold a general meeting from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8. The cost of the luncheon meeting will be $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. For more information or for reservations, email Melissa Clark at [email protected].

UG Ethics Commission scheduled to meet Jan. 8
The United Government Ethics Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Jan. 8 at Division 18, old county commissioners’ chambers, in the Wyandotte County Courthouse, second floor, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.

UG Commission to meet Jan. 8
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. The meeting will be in the Commission Chambers, lobby level. Planning and zoning items are expected to be included on the agenda. The agenda may be posted online a few days before the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Downtown Shareholders plan luncheon meeting Jan. 9
The Downtown Shareholders are planning a luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Board of Public Utilities offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Guest speaker is Doug Bach, Unified Government administrator, who will discuss projects happening throughout the county and downtown Kansas City, Kan. Admission to the lunch is $20 and includes a meal. Reservations are required to Chuck Schlittler, director, at [email protected] by Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Grinter Place schedules ‘Saturdays by the Grinter Stove’
“Saturdays by the Grinter Stove” is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Grinter Place Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. Those attending will hear a Kansas City area history presentation and stay for lunch prepared on the Grinter wood stove. This series continues each month through March 14. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12. For more information, visit http://www.kshs.org/p/grinter-place-programs/18581#upcoming.

Support group for caregivers offered
A support group for caregivers is offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kan. The facilitator is Jackie Tigges, MSW, LSCSW. Caring for a loved one who is ill or dying may be difficult and it helps to be supported by others. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Support group for those with addictions offered
All Addictions Group, a support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register on-line at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

Leavenworth Road Association to meet Jan. 13
The Leavenworth Road Association will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, Kan. A potluck dinner and social time at 6 p.m. will be followed by the program at 7 p.m.

Fundraiser planned Jan. 17
Resurrection Catholic School, 425 N. 15th, Kansas City, Kan., plans a fundraiser, “A Taste of KCK,” on Saturday, Jan. 17. The guest speaker will be Lamar Hunt Jr. A social time at 6 p.m. is followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a program at 8 p.m. The cost is $35 per person. For more information about registration and the event, visist resurrectionkck.edu12.net.

Raptor Days scheduled Jan. 24 and 25
The Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and the James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, will be hosts for Raptor Das Jan. 24 and 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Schlagle Library and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Davis Hall. Eagle and water fowl viewing, crafts, and a presentation about eagles, hawks, owls and falcons by Operation Wildlife are included. Sponsors include the library, Operation Wildlife and the Board of Public Utilities.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to women and men who might otherwise not be able to afford counseling. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.

College students volunteering at food giveaway today at 65th and State

by Mary Rupert
Students at Kansas City Kansas Community College have been volunteering at the community food giveaways held this month at the KCKCC-TEC, 6565 State Ave. One is scheduled for today.

Andrica Wilcoxen, outreach and prevention coordinator at KCKCC, said 400 families were served at the food giveaway held at the site earlier this month. There was a one-hour wait in line at that event.

Some of the recipients of the free food are KCKCC students, and there are also a lot of student volunteers from the college.

Wilcoxen said many students want to give back to the effort, and are volunteering their time.

Among the KCKCC students who have been volunteering were members of the soccer team, the girls basketball team, students in the psychology classes who have a service component in their classes, and the honors student group at the college.

“I’m pretty proud to see our students giving and not just receiving,” Wilcoxen said.

The food giveaway is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at 65th and State in Kansas City, Kan. It is free and open to the public. Persons are encouraged to arrive early; there might be a wait at the site.

Those attending will receive free groceries on a first-come, first-served basis, and the amount of groceries is based on the number of people in the family. There are no income restrictions. The program is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Harvesters food bank, with KCKCC a partner in the effort.

Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables are among the groceries that are given away.