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July, 2025 Newsletter

7/6/2025

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St. Aidan's July 2025 Newsletter

The mission of St. Aidan's is to make disciples by proclaiming Christ as Lord and making a difference in our community.

Visit our website

Join us for "In Person Worship"

Sunday, July 6, at 10:00 am

Third Sunday of Pentecost

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church

14301 S. Black Bob Rd,

Olathe, KS 66062

913-764-3050

Sunday, July 6

Fr. Steve Rottgers

10 am, Holy Eucharist

Serving on Sunday

Acolyte: Sarah Smith

Lector: Anne Brunner

Intercessor: Carolyn Sturgeon

Ushers: Janet and Don Seifert

Counter: Kurt Gordon and Don Seifert

Altar Guild: Bonnie Eckel

Be Our Guest: Carolyn Sturgeon

The Liturgy of the Word

2 Kings 5:1-14

Psalm 30

Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

ATTENTION: ROTA SERVERS!!!

The Summer ROTAs are finished.

Click here to see the July 2025 ROTA

Click here to see the August 2025 ROTA

If you are gone on your scheduled Sunday, please find a replacement and also let the office and Jane know.

Thank you! Jane Bush [email protected]

From the desk of the rector....

We the People….

First thing this July, I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers as I once again had a cardioversion on Monday, June 30^th and as of today, July 2^nd, I’m keeping rhythm. I’m hoping that I can hold this and move it off my “to do list”!

I titled this month’s message, “We the People…” from the opening of the preamble to the United States Constitution. (How many of you had to memorize the preamble in your history class?) It is an important statement that sets the stage as to how our government was going to function, not a King or Queen, not only an elected President, but “We the People” are the ones that the bulk of support will come from to form a “More Perfect Union”. It is this experiment that has lasted 250 years that we now celebrated on July the 4^th, this week.

It was another movement centuries ago, that Jesus started and empowered with a “Holy Spirit” known as “The Church” that also depended upon “We the People” to grow and become what it has become today in its many varieties of denominations and interpretations. The unique context of how each gathering of the faithful brings cultural differences, liturgical and sacramental variations and practices and expectations of how Christ and the Holy Spirit engage their lives. Many facets, yet a united people around one Lord, one Faith and one Creed.

Here at St. Aidan’s, I’ve challenged you to write 3-5 items on a set of cards representing “Celebrations, Challenges and Dreams” for our life here in Olathe. In many regards, I’ve asked to hear the “Voice of the People” with a purpose to inform me, the vestry, as well as the entire membership to what is on your hearts and minds. There were 26 sets returned with 46 topics related by 215 entries. Our next step is discerning how “We the People” respond and act upon that input. In business speak, we will be matching the VOC (Voice of the Community) with the VOS (Voice of the Systems)

I’ve attached a link so you can see the entire set of lists and to be transparent and accountable to what you provided. The “Super List” is a composite of the three separate lists and gives us a target of topics to work on. To move these items from being just a list to ponder and to empower action, we ask, “By what method?” how do we do these things?

That my friends is the work of the people, together and with me, will be our future steps at St. Aidan’s, starting this summer. Take a look at the lists, especially the “Super List” and discern where your interest and passions match the listed items. That is a very good place to start our summer as, “We the People” of Saint Aidan’s!

Happy 4^th of July and God bless you if you are traveling near or far in the coming summer months!

Fr. Steve+

Click here for "Celebrations, Challenges and Dreams" resluts that Fr. Steve has compiled.

Underwear Drive

Its that time of year again!

The underwear drive for the Outreach event is underway. Your donation benefits the children who do not have a permanent home address. All donations need to be submitted to the church by July 27th. Please note on the memo section of your check Underwear Drive.

If anyone has any questions please contact Kathy Mencer 913-515-2339 or by email [email protected]

Thank you to everyone for supporting this outreach event.

News from the NE Convocation

The NE Convocation (parishes from NE KS) gathered at St. Thomas last Saturday for dioscesan budget conversations.

Here are some of the things that were shared:

Bishop Search

Our Bishop's last day will be Jan 31 of 2026

The diocese has hired a consultant, currently they are gathering applications.

May 4 the slate of nonminees will be shared and a "walkabout" will occur with the nominees in each convocation during the first week of May.

The election convention is scheduled for June 10

October will be the consecration of the new Bishop.

Budget concerns

The group looked over the budget and discussed various things.

Upcoming Spiritual life opportunities

Group spiritual direction orientation

August 16, 2025 Topeka

The purpose of this is to learn about group spiritual direction to practice the sacred art of listening to each other for God's loving purpose in our lives.

Click here for more information

Discerning God's Call Retreat

Aug 22-24, 2025

Formerly the Vocationers retreat, this is a weekend for anyone desiring a more intentional ministry, either lay or ordained.

click here for more information

Silent Retreat

September 5-7 Marillac Retreat Center in Leavenworth

Trusting that "Silence is God's preferred language" you are invited into an elongated time of presence with God. Reportedly a wonderful place to stay with extensive property for walking.

Click here for more information

Be Loved

September 13 2025

Province 7 Episcopal Church Women Fall Gathering Oklahoma City.

Click here for more information or see flyer that Sarah will post at church.

Faithfully submitted by your fabulous convention representatives, Sarah Smith and Jane Bush

Pastoral Concerns and Prayer Requests

Pastoral Concerns:

In case of pastoral emergencies, please contact Fr. Steve Rottgers at 205-223-3638 (call or text) or email him at [email protected].

Prayer Requests:

Please email any prayer requests to the office [email protected]

BackSnack Program

2004-2025

St. Aidan’s is partnering again with Harvesters in the Backsnack program. This year we will be partnering with four Olathe Elementary Schools.

Summer is upon us, and Back snack will resume in September. The Pack are to be picked up on Wednesdays, and delivered on Thursdays.

Thanks to all our faithful volunteers that make this ministry possible. For more information on the BackSnack program, please contact Don Seifert at

[email protected]

Thanks to all our faithful volunteers that make this ministry possible. For more information on the BackSnack program, please contact Don Seifert at

[email protected]

Johnson County Food Ministry at Center of Grace

St. Aidan's helps prepare and hand out meals at Center of Grace in Olathe, on the fourth Thursday of the month. Dinner prep is at 3:00 pm and at 5:00 pm we distribute food at Center of Grace.

Next Outreach at Center of Grace is on July 31

*** Also, we need your help by bringing individually wrapped desserts for the Center of Grace to St. Aidan's by noon on that Thursday.