February 7, 2019
February - African American History Month

In 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted the first week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. Prior to this time, little information could be found regarding African American history. Important achievements were left out of history books, and there was a general misconception that African Americans had made little contribution to U.S. society or history. 50 years later, the week became a month, and today February is celebrated as African American History Month. 

NourishKC, In Urgent Need of Funding, Opens Go Fund Me Page

NourishKC is in jeopardy of ceasing operations. Because of this, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to transfer most of the programs to valued community partners. The Board of Directors feels strongly that the Kansas City Community Kitchen remains the core of NourishKC, and ongoing efforts will be focused around sustaining the day-to-day operations of this legacy program.

The Lutherans and Episcopalians are closer than ever with shared office space

Reflecting the growing closeness of two partner denominations, the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and The Diocese of West Missouri are now sharing office space at the diocese’s Diocesan Center to increase opportunities for common mission.

Christian Formation Lenten Resources

Planning ahead for Lent? There are lots of Lenten resources for homes and churches available on the Christian Formation pages of the diocesan website.
Traveling the Way of Love: A new video series

Join host Chris Sikkema, manager for special projects, The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, as he journeys across The Episcopal Church in search of stories of the ways people in the church are engaged in the seven practices which encompass the Way of Love.
January Issue of Lamplight

The latest issue of Lamplight, the newsletter of the US Disaster Program is available to read online. In this issue: Post fires debrief in California and Churches make great winter shelters.

Diversity and Reconciliation Commission's February Workshop's Registration Closed

Due to the overwhelming response, registration for the workshop Seeing the Face of God in Each Other presented by the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission scheduled for Saturday, February 16, 2019, is now closed. Plans are underway to provide another workshop opportunity this spring in the Southern Deanery. Watch for details in the eSpirit .
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What's Happening February-March
The Hispanic Ministry of The Diocese of West Missouri invites you to a Lenten Spiritual Retreat in Kansas City

Fr. Jose Palma is expanding the Annual Lenten Spiritual Retreat to the Kansas City area. Church of the Good Shepherd is excited about hosting the event which runs from Friday March 29 to Sunday March 31, and encourages those in the Kansas City Area to attend. Food will be provided. Contact Fr. Jose Palma to register - (417) 358-4631.
Youth
February 8
Rare Breed Outreach & Movie Night: Regional Youth Network South - St. John's Church, Springfield, 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
February 15-16
Regional Youth North - Snow Creek Tubing, 6:00 p.m.
February 22-24
Senior High Retreat - Christ Church, Springfield, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
March 17
Regional Youth South Wear Green on the Green Mini-Golf, Springfield, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
March 17
Regional Youth North Acolyte Field Day - St. Paul's Church, Kansas City, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Churches
February 9
Italian Dinner at Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City. 5:30 p.m.
Diocesan
February 16
Diversity and Reconciliation Workshop - Seeing the Face of God in Each Other - HJ's Youth & Community Center, Kansas City, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
February 16
Leadership Boot Camp - Diocesan Center, Kansas City, 10:00 a.m.
February 17
Absalom Jones Celebration - St. Augustine's Church, Kansas City, 4:00 p.m.
March 9
Bishop's Day - Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
March 16
Leadership Boot Camp - Diocesan Center, Kansas City, 10:00 a.m.
March 23
Bishop's Day - Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
March 29-31
Daughters of the King - Province VII Spring Assembly Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, Arkansas
March 29-31
Hispanic Ministries, Lenten Spiritual Retreat. March 29: 6:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. March 30: 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. March 31: 10:15 a.m.
March 30
Stop Human Trafficking & Abuse - Three expert speakers will be discussing slavery, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking. St. Andrew's Church, Kansas City, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Meetings & Deadlines
February 8
Commission On Ministry Meeting - Diocesan Center, Kansas City/St. John's Church, Springfield, 10:30 a.m.
February 12
Southern Deanery Clericus - St. Matthew's Church, Ozark, 10:00 a.m.
February 19
Standing Committee Meeting - St. Peter and All Saints Church, Kansas City, 10:00 a.m.
March 2
Northwest-Metro Deanery Council - Location to be determined, 10:00 a.m.
March 16
Central Deanery Council Meeting - St. Anne's Church, Lee's Summit, 10:00 a.m.
If you need additional information on a Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Deanery Council, or other Commission, Committee or Ministry  meeting , please see the diocesan calendar on our website.

We Want Your News & Event Details
eSpirit  Deadline & Next Publication Date

Next issue: February 21, 2019. Copy Deadline: February 18, 2019.
March 2019  Spirit  Deadline

The deadline for articles and pictures to be included in the March 2019 Spirit is February 18, 2018.

Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders
Parochial Report Filing

Online filing for the 2018 Parochial Report for all Episcopal Church congregations is now available on The Episcopal Church website. In addition to the form, the page also offers step-by-step instructions and workbooks to guide you through this process. Deadline: March 1, 2019.

Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons 2018 now available for download or purchase

The 2018 edition of the Constitution and Canons together with the Rules of Order, containing all updates from the 79th General Convention, is now available in English and Spanish. 

Bishop's Days - Reminder

This year's Bishop's Days will be held on March 9 & 23. All vestry members - old and new, clergy, and other church leaders are requested to attend these important annual briefing sessions.

More information on the day's programming and registration can be found here.
Upcoming  
February 22-23
New Clergy Transitional Program - Trinity Meadows Retreat Center, Dunnegan MO, 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
March 1
Church rosters are due.
Clerical licenses expire.
EM/EV licenses expire.
March 1
UTO grant application deadline.
March 9
Bishop's Day - North - Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, 10:00 a.m.
March 23
Bishop's Day - South - Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, 10:00 a.m.
April 8-9
Diocesan Clericus- SAVE THE DATE - Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, KS - Registration information coming soon!
Bulletin Inserts - 
Bulletin & church newsletter inserts for you to consider and include.
Inserts from The Episcopal Church

These weekly bulletin inserts provide information about the history, music, liturgy, mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church, and may be of help to churches with limited time and resources to prepare weekly bulletins.

Inserts from Episcopal Relief & Development

In Case You Missed It
Lay Licensed Ministries

Licences for the lay ministries of Eucharistic Visitor and Eucharistic Minister are due for renewal in March. We've now added a page to the diocesan website covering all the licensed lay ministries with links to the various application forms, guidelines and requirements.

Diocesan Celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones

The Diocesan celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first person of African descent ordained in the Episcopal Church, will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Kansas City. Bishop Marty will be the Celebrant and Dr. Seft Hunter, Executive Director of Communities Creating Opportunity will be the preacher. The celebration will feature music by the St. Augustine Choir of Christ Church, St. Joseph and the Liturgical Dancers of St. Augustine's. A festive reception will follow at the parish house.

Christian Formation Web Pages

A set of pages covering the many aspects of Christian formation have been added to the diocesan website. Our collection of recommended resources is intended to simplify your research and organize the wealth of information available online today into a single source for individuals, families and congregations.

2019 United Thank Offering Grant Applications Open

Applications are now accepted for the 2018 United Thank Offering grants. The focus for the 2019 United Thank Offering grants is  Go: Crossing boundaries created by race, culture, and economics to create communities that listen deeply and learn to live like Jesus . Deadline March 1, 2019.
Spread The Word