Kansas Interfaith Action invites you to join us for our 2020 Annual Event, on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm. This year, we will gather virtually.

Our featured speaker will the the Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould, Executive Director of Missouri Faith Voices.

We are honoring Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan, who is stepping out of the role of KIFA Board Chair after nearly 5 years.

Rep. Don Hineman will receive the “Legislator of the Year” Award.

The program begins at 6:30 pm.
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For more information and to purchase tickets please click here. If you are unable to attend, but wish to support the work of Kansas Interfaith Action with a tax-deductible donation, please click here.

The Manhattan Public Library is a treasure trove of awesomeness. Books, magazines, movies, video games and more! During COVID-19 many folks who haven't taken the leap to learn how to access their online resources are starting to think, "Hmmmm. Maybe I should learn how to check out an e-book or audiobook!"

We are so pleased to have some of the staff of MPL join us for this Facebook Live event at Noon on Wednesday, May 13th. The video will be live on the First Congregational UCC Manhattan KS Facebook Page.

Pastor Caela will be talking with them about how to check out e-books, read magazines, listen to audiobooks, watch movies and MORE without ever leaving your couch. Once you've started accessing these online resources, you'll be so glad you did.

Let us know your questions ahead of time by posting them on our Facebook Event Page (or e-mailing Caela) and be sure to invite your friends. ​

MISSED IT? PDF HANDOUTS HERE:
Learn to use Sunflower eLibrary 
Learn to use Hoopla

WATCH THE SESSION HERE:

Have you ever wished you could be the head cook for 2nd Helping, but alas had never gotten the opportunity to be trained?  Well this is your opportunity to get trained so you can run the show on a Sunday evening!

Linda Thurston will be holding a training via Zoom for anyone who is interested in cooking for 2nd helping.  The training will be this coming Sunday, May 3rd at 2pm.  

Topic: Second Helping Head Cook Training
Time: May 3, 2020 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84403637696 

Meeting ID: 844 0363 7696
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A few weeks ago, we got together to talk about prayer because we know many people are struggling right now and WISH they could pray....but don't know how or where to begin. We talked about some of the things that get in the way of prayer and what we think prayer is (spoiler: we don't think it's just "talking to God").

Ben shared about how prayer is a transformational experience. Caela talked about prayer as orienting ourselves towards God. Both pastors agreed that it goes WAYYYYYY beyond words and shared some of the non-wordy-type ways of praying that work for them.

Missed the first conversation? Check out the recorded version below. 

Join us on MONDAY, May 18th at 12pm Central for another conversation on Facebook Live.

This time we're going to dive into Centering Prayer. And...we are still here to answer your questions. So hit us up with those by Monday if you can. You can email either one of us or text them to 785-380-7772.

Rev. Caela Simmons Wood is the pastor of First Congregational UCC in Manhattan, KS. Rev. Ben Konecny is a minister at First Congregational UCC in Greeley, CO. ​

(Note: this conversation is rescheduled from May 8th when we had technical difficulties.)

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who are keeping our Second Helping and Blessing Box missions going through this time of physical distancing. The need has never been greater and our congregation is stepping up to do its part. 
 
We had to halt sit down meals in mid-March when the church leadership determined that services and other activities at the church would move on-line. The Mission Committee had already begun planning with Linda Thurston, our Second Helping Leader, on updating our operating procedures to ensure the health of our clients and volunteers. Currently volunteers come in three shifts - two mid-week to make and refrigerate sandwiches and prep the lunch/breakfast bags. The cook and assistant come Sunday afternoon to prepare and box the hot meals. The distribution volunteers bag the hot meal and lunch/breakfast bags for distribution by our Church Host, Reggie, in the parking lot to our clients. In March, 43 volunteers served 200 adults and 6 children a hot meal plus sack lunch and breakfast. 
 
A tremendous amount of food is also going out through the Blessing Box. We are particularly grateful to Jonathan Mertz who noticed a damaged shelf one afternoon and to Nick Knicklebine who had repaired our box almost before we could blink. The First Presbyterian Church has adopted our box and members help stock it on Saturdays and the First Lutheran Church has established their own box further up Poyntz. Many of our members include a bag of groceries for the Blessing Box when they get their own food, and bring it by the church. We urge you to wear gloves when doing this if you are able. The Church also receives designated donations to allow us to purchase items for the Blessing Box and Second Helping.
 
This is a community wide effort. Ann Smit is our liaison to the Common Table to work with other meal and blessing box missions at other venues.  As a tribute to Earth Day, 2020, the Mission Committee is working on a longer-term plan to convert our supplies to renewable sources in order to balance Manhattan's food needs, cost concerns, and sustainability.
 
With everyone working together, we are striving to ease the burdens of those who live on the edge in our community and who need extra help right now.
 
Again, thank you to the members and all of our food mission volunteers from the Mission Committee.

In case you missed it, here's our Backyard Birding 101 for Earth Day. Linda Thurston spoke with Pastor Caela for about a half hour about birds here in Manhattan. We discussed how to welcome birds in our yards, what to look for, and places around town to see birds. We also talked about birding as a spiritual practice. Enjoy!

The First UCC People Books
 
Friday, September 13, 2019
6:30 – 9:00 PM
Blachly Room
 
We need  books and readers.
Books are created by people who wish to tell their story of: a personal experience, a unique experience, or something that matters to them.
Readers experience a new way of listening to gain an understanding of the book’s experience and perspective.
This innovative event, modeled on “The Human Library Project”  offers a comfortable environment for us to meet, ask questions, and learn from each other.

To apply to be a “people book”, please go to:  http://bit.ly/uccpeoplebooks

There you will find more information to help you create your book.

To be a “reader”, just come.  There will be just a few directions given at the event.
 
The Vitality Committee invites all to participate. We will provide the main dish, drinks and dessert.  If you wish to bring a side dish please do.

It’s Feast and Festival time! – Join us August 18th at 6 pm in Pioneer and Blachly Halls. Feast and Festival is an evening of food, fellowship, and fun! It is open to everyone. The Deacons will provide a cafeteria-style meal of pulled pork or fried chicken, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, and ice cream (vegetarian options also available). After you’ve eaten, you can visit the craft table offered by the Ministry of the Decorative Scissors, try your luck at the cake/dessert walk, and visit Leo Schell outside for a new and fun activity (weather permitting). Monetary donations are requested and if you have a cake/dessert to donate, it will be appreciated! Our friends from Second Helping will join us.