Category: Faith

Rep. Cleaver to speak at Wyandotte County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Nov. 7

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., will be the guest speaker at the 40th annual Wyandotte County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Friday, Nov. 7, at the Reardon Convention Center, 500 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

It is an interdenominational event.

Rep. Cleaver, also an ordained United Methodist minister, is expected to discuss the importance of faith in the community.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Superintendent Cindy Lane, superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., Public School District. All three Wyandotte County mayors are a part of the program.

The cost of the breakfast buffet is $20 per person. Seating begins at 6:45 a.m. and the program begins at 7 a.m.

Rep. Cleaver, who is now serving his fifth term representing Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, will offer the keynote motivational speech at this year’s breakfast.

Missouri’s Fifth District is home to the only city in the nation with the distinction of having the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Cleaver’s efforts have been seen in farmers and ranchers throughout the district now having more freedom in choosing who works in the family business, and Cleaver has been recognized across the country for his efforts to bring cooperation, common sense, and civility to Washington in the sea of political partisanship, dysfunction, and debilitating delays.

Having served for 12 years on the city council of Missouri’s largest municipality, Rep. Cleaver was elected as Kansas City, Mo.,’s first African American mayor in 1991.

Rep. Cleaver has received five honorary doctoral degrees. His bachelor’s degree is from Prairie View A&M, and his master’s degree is from St. Paul’s School of Theology of Kansas City, Mo.

After graduating from Prairie View he moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he founded a local chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He became pastor of the St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Mo., where he built the congregation from 47 members to more than 2,000. Cleaver’s great-grandfather and grandfather were preachers, as were several of his uncles and cousins. One of the congressman’s three sons (Emanuel Cleaver III) – has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfathers – and is now pastor of St. James.

Rep. Cleaver has been called one of the hardest working congressmen in the country. He designed the nationally recognized Green Impact Zone in the heart of Kansas City, Mo., creating jobs, boosting the economy, revitalizing small business, increasing affordable housing, improving energy efficiency and securing technology to assist law enforcement in the fight for safer communities.

During his eight-year stint as mayor, Cleaver distinguished himself as an economic development activist and a redevelopment craftsman. He and the City Council brought a number of major corporations to the city. Additionally, his municipal stewardship includes the 18th and Vine Redevelopment, a new American Royal, the establishment of a Family Division of the Municipal Court, and the reconstruction and beautification of Brush Creek.

From civil rights activist to Methodist minister to his election as the first black mayor of Kansas City, Mo., Cleaver has changed his approach to social activism with the changing times.

“We encourage the community to attend the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast and hear how Congressman Cleaver’s faith has given him a special direction in life and commitment to our community,” said Tom Johnson, Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast committee chairperson.

Tickets are available for purchase at the chamber office, 727 Minnesota Ave. or at the Bonner Springs City Hall, 205 E. Second St. All ticket reservations must be paid in advance. Tickets also are available at www.kckchamber.com/MayorsPrayerBreakfast. For information, email [email protected].

Faith news

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Edwardsville United Methodist Church, 302 N. 4th, Edwardsville, Kan., is planning a church-wide potluck lunch and ministry fair Oct. 19 to discuss church business and ministries.

The Historic Dunbar School ground Honor Roll Athletes led by team members Bill Robinson and Errol Robinson will be featured in song and testimony at the Dunbar-Faith Connection Gospel Fest gathering at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Faith Lutheran Church, 530 Quindaro. Former students in Dunbar’s chorus, families and former Dunbar musicians or their representatives are asked to participate in a memorial photo signature ceremony for musicians Evelyn Caruthers, former Dunbar teacher and chorus leader, and Ruby Robinson, former Dunbar student and choir musician. Dunbar closed in 1972; the Dunbar-Faith Connection is a volunteer group committed to preserving the memory and educational mission of Dunbar School. The Historic School Ground Athletes list was unveiled in 2008, their pictures and other Dunbar history are exhibited on two dedicated walls in Faith’s Fellowship Hall. No charge for admission, offering and patron donations will be accepted.

Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, 7819 Swartz Road, will hold its annual chili dinner – vegetable soup dinner with dessert and drink from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 25. A silent auction, bazaar and bake sale will be included. There will be a donation for the dinner of $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Hot dogs will be available.

“Scripture Study, Bible Sharing and Reflection, Lectio and Journaling,” a regular weekly series facilitated by pastoral minister, Heather Neds, is offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. This weekly Bible study group is based on the upcoming scripture readings from the Common Lectionary. There will be time for reflection, sharing and journaling. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Living Water United Methodist Church, 3001 N. 115th St., will hold its annual Trunk or Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. Activities include trunk or treat, games, hot dogs, s’mores, hayrack rides and more. The community is invited. In case of rain, activities will be moved indoors.

The 40th annual Wyandotte County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held Friday, Nov. 7. The cost is $20 per person. Seating begins at 6:45 a.m. and program begins at 7 a.m. This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Superintendent Cindy Lane, superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., Public School District. All three Wyandotte County mayors are a part of the program along with the featured speaker U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, discussing the importance of faith in the community, and other faith leaders. Tickets are available for purchase at the chamber office, 727 Minnesota Ave. or at the Bonner Springs City Hall, 205 E. Second St. For information, email [email protected].

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Parkway Baptist Church classrooms, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

A pancake breakfast is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Peter’s Parish Center, 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan., to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The Sisters, Servants are a religious community that provides in-home nursing care for persons who are dying or terminally ill. They provide these services free of charge. Tickets to the breakfast are available at $6 for adults and $4 for children under 10 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling, 913-371-3423. At the breakfast, Mary Health of the Sick Guild members will host a bake sale and a variety booth featuring Precious Moments figurines, seasonal and other items. All proceeds benefit the charitable work of the Sisters, Servants.

Persons of all Christian traditions are invited to participate in Taizé prayer at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in Annunciation Chapel on the campus of the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan. Taizé prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. For more information, visit www.marillaccenter.org or call 913-680-2342.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., will hold a congregational meeting at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, following the first service.

Members from St.Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., will attend the 155th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 at the Capitol Hilton Hotel, Maner Convention Center and Grace Cathedral, all in Topeka. St. Paul’s members who will attend will include the Rev. Dixie Roberts Junk, the priest-in-charge, and Rich Lavin, the parish treasurer.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Wyandotte United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 7901 Oakland, Kansas City, Kan. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Faith news

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

Edwardsville United Methodist Church, 302 N. 4th, Edwardsville, Kan., is planning a church-wide potluck lunch and ministry fair Oct. 19 to discuss church business and ministries.

Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, 7819 Swartz Road, will hold its annual chili dinner – vegetable soup dinner with dessert and drink from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 25. A silent auction, bazaar and bake sale will be included. There will be a donation for the dinner of $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Hot dogs will be available.

“Scripture Study, Bible Sharing and Reflection, Lectio and Journaling,” a regular weekly series facilitated by pastoral minister, Heather Neds, is offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. This weekly Bible study group is based on the upcoming scripture readings from the Common Lectionary. There will be time for reflection, sharing and journaling. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Living Water United Methodist Church, 3001 N. 115th St., will hold its annual Trunk or Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. Activities include trunk or treat, games, hot dogs, s’mores, hayrack rides and more. The community is invited. In case of rain, activities will be moved indoors.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Parkway Baptist Church classrooms, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

The Kansas City Kansas Community College Vocal Music Department is inviting the community out to support the college’s choirs during the upcoming GEMS concert. The concert is at 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at St. Patrick Church, 1086 N. 94th St. in Kansas City, Kan. It is free and open to the public. The concert will feature the Community Choir and the Chamber Chair as they perform works by Handel, Rutter, Mealor, Whitacre, Hogan and more. GEMS is a showcase of choral music (both well-known and unknown) from different countries and cultures. These countries include England, Russia, Germany and the United States. John Stafford, choral director and professor at KCKCC, said the music performed at the concert are or will eventually become staples of the choral repertoire. For more information on the choral program at KCKCC, contact John Stafford at [email protected] or call 913-288-7137.

A pancake breakfast is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Peter’s Parish Center, 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan., to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The Sisters, Servants are a religious community that provides in-home nursing care for persons who are dying or terminally ill. They provide these services free of charge. Tickets to the breakfast are available at $6 for adults and $4 for children under 10 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling, 913-371-3423. At the breakfast, Mary Health of the Sick Guild members will host a bake sale and a variety booth featuring Precious Moments figurines, seasonal and other items. All proceeds benefit the charitable work of the Sisters, Servants.

Persons of all Christian traditions are invited to participate in Taizé prayer at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6,. in Annunciation Chapel on the campus of the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan. Taizé prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. For more information, visit www.marillaccenter.org or call 913-680-2342.

Fall Christian education classes will begin Sunday, Oct. 12, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St. Church school classes for children ages 3 through the sixth grade will start at about 10:30 a.m. Confirmation classes for those in the sixth grade and older will start at 11:30 a.m.; lunch will be served.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., will hold a congregational meeting at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, following the first service.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Wyandotte United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 7901 Oakland, Kansas City, Kan. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.