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News from the Pews
November 6, 2026
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Welcome Rev. Dale Jackson!
Rev. Jackson was raised in Wichita, Kansas. After graduating from high school, his parents and sister moved to the small town of Marion, Kansas. Later, he also moved there while completing his course work at a small liberal arts college. At his and his sister's urging, their family learned about Presbyterians, joined the local congregation, and he found his true spiritual home. Rev. Jackson has served churches in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri and has worked for the PCUSA national offices and for a time with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. In the fall of 2012, Dale and his partner, Dennis Cobb, celebrated a civil union on Magic Island, Honolulu, Hawaii. He love the theater, cooking, and firmly believe that chocolate makes all things better!
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Stewardship and 2027 Pledge
Fall is when we reflect on our current and future giving and develop the 2027 budget and plans for our church. Pick up your stewardship packets in the sanctuary entrance. We will mail these to those who have not picked them up. November 15th will be Pledge Sunday; please return your pledges that day or anytime before.
| | It's wrap on the Pumpkin Patch! | |
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The Universal Christ -
How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For and Believe
Our study of The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr continues on Monday, November 16th at 3:30 pm in the church parlor. Pastor Nancy leads the study.
“We must—yes, must—make a daily and even hourly choice to focus on the good, the true, and the beautiful.” RIchard Rohr
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Men's Tuesday Morning Group
Our men's group is studying a 10-week series titled "Exploring Islam," led by James Anderson from Ligonier Ministries. Throughout this series, we will delve into the central tenets, rich history, and various practices of the Islamic faith, providing an enriching opportunity for learning and discussion. Come join us anytime throughout the study at 6:30 a.m. each Tuesday, the coffee will be hot!
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Cross-Lines Lunch Services is early in November -- Monday November 16th!
This past Wednesday was yet another remarkable day at the Cross-Lines community kitchen, where we had the privilege of serving over 100 hearty baked potato lunches, nourishing both body and spirit. As we look ahead, please note that our schedule for November will shift from the usual fourth Wednesday to a special serving day on Monday, November 16th. We invite everyone to join us in this endeavor either by donating food or volunteering your time.
Sign up here!
| | | Unexpected Blooms + Craig Sole Designs | | | |
Designing flowers is not just taking nature’s best creation - but rather it is sending raw emotion; love, sorrow, joy - it is the sender’s words in a more poignant form.
— Craig Sole, Owner & Operator of Craig Sole Designs, AIFD
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Unexpected Blooms is excited to offer a floral design demonstration event for the first time ever! Gather inspiration for your own Fall/Winter Holiday decorating and enter a drawing for a chance to take home the finished design. A little creativity, a little holiday cheer, and with a little luck, you could be the one to go home with a gorgeous arrangement. Reserve your spot today for $50! The demonstration is Saturday, November 14th at 10:30 a.m. in Ward Parkway's Fellowship Hall.
UB WEBSITE FOR GENERAL AND EVENT NFO
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Story Haven KC: "Enough"
When was the last time you felt like you were enough? Not because you accomplished something, made someone proud, or finally got your life together. Just because you are who you are.
That's the question we're sitting with at Story Haven KC this November.
We're excited to welcome Victoria “The Real” Barbee, an author, entertainer, and motivational speaker whose blend of storytelling, humor, and heart challenges us to see ourselves a little differently. Together, we'll explore the moments when we've had enough, the expectations we're tired of carrying, and the possibility that we were never meant to prove our worth in the first place.
Do you have a story about reaching your breaking point, finding your voice, or discovering your worth? We'd love to hear it. Or come to listen, laugh, reflect, and connect.
Because sometimes someone else's story permits us to see our own in a whole new light.
Real people. True stories. A sanctuary for your beliefs and doubts.
November 19, 2026, 6:00 pm Doors Open; 6:30 pm Gathering Starts.
it
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Food Pantry Current Needs
Our partner, Covenant Food Pantry has provided us with a list of their current needs for their shelves. Consider purchasing these items and donating them to the shopping card at our south entrance or outside the sanctuary.
Boxed Mac and Cheese
Canned Black Beams
Canned Spinach
Canned Sliced Peaches
Cereal
Pancake Mix & Syrup
Shelf Stable Milk
Peanut Butter & Jelly
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Cheryl is a part of Chorus KC--see them in concert!
Join Chorus Kansas City and the Kansas City Chamber Singers for The Gifts: Gifts We Cannot Unwrap, a heartwarming holiday concert at the Folly Theater. From beloved Christmas favorites to breathtaking contemporary choral works, this inspiring program celebrates the unseen gifts of the season: hope, peace, friendship, and love. Filled with beautiful music and holiday magic, this unforgettable evening will leave audiences reflecting on the gifts that matter most. Friday, December 18, 2026, 7 pm at the historic Folly Theatre in downtown Kansas City.
CLICK FOR TICKETS
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It's Soup Season
As an ongoing fundraiser, we have Anderson House Frontier Soups to sell
These soups are all natural with no additives and were recently featured on Good Morning America's Deals and Steals.
Shop the in-stock soups we have outside the sanctuary. Soups are $10 each or 3/$28. We will update you soon about ordering more soup!
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The session of Ward Parkway met on Tuesday September 8th at 6 pm, Wednesday, October 21st at 5pm and a special meeting on Sunday, November 1st after services. Below is a recap of the meetings.
A nominating committee was formed to fill the following roles beginning in 2027: corporation president, corporation treasurer, and two open session seats. Lynne Crossette, Dan Hinrichs and Pastor Tuma are on the committee. Pastor Tuma has formed a budget committee of herself, Mark Ihde, Rick Clark, and Steve Guthrie.
Miller Management has begun the financial review process. An October conference call with our church accountant, treasurer, office administrator and Pastor was held to review practices and policies. Miller Management provided a list of financial documents for the church and preschool to forward them by the end of October as a first step in this process.
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We recently learned that First Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Early Education Center (FLEEC) have decided to separate and each choose their path forward. We also learned that FLEEC wants to operate in our building under some type of arrangement. Preschool board moderator Susan Stewart and Pastor Nancy met with the First Lutheran preschool director on October 8th. The preschool board then met on Oct. 13th. Business at that meeting included the preschool co-director Kim Manford resignation, effective May 2027. Susan attended the October session meeting to report on both meetings.
At a special Session meeting, the original First Lutheran Committee, which was formed earlier this year, was disbanded. A new Committee was formed with 5 WPPC members…Harriet Plowman, Lynne Crossette, Steve Guthrie, Tom Stewart, and Pastor Nancy.
To address communication challenges, church oversight, and planning for our preschool’s future, the First Lutheran Committee’s work will include hosting working meetings with participation from up to 3 representatives of our preschool as well as up to 3 representatives of FLEEC. The Committee will report regularly to the Session and to the congregation.
As First Lutheran Church discerns its future home, it will hold a worship service in our sanctuary on Saturday, November 21st.
Steve reported on Sunday, November 1st, during our worship service and at the session meeting afterward, about the mold situation in the Education building and the remediation measures.
Please see below for more info on this matter.
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Urgent Mold Remediation
A serious mold issue was discovered last Thursday in the wall of Pastor Tuma's office due to a leak from an upstairs window. After the mold detection experts reported a high degree of danger, Steve contacted the recommended remediation company and received a quote of $15,000. For the work to be done quickly, it had to be authorized. Steve met with the preschool directors to develop a funding plan for the necessary remediation work. They agreed that the preschool would contribute $5,000, the church would provide $5,000 from its operating budget, and the remaining $5,000 would be covered by donations, with a guarantee by a church member. Work was completed on Saturday, October 31st. We would gratefully accept any donations toward this effort. Just put "mold" in the note! Thank you!
DONATE HERE
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