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Newsletter for April 10, 2026

4/11/2026

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St. Aidan's April 10, 2026 update

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, April 12, at 10:00 am

Second Sunday of Easter

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church

14301 S. Black Bob Rd,

Olathe, KS 66062

913-764-3050

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Rev. Dr. Steve Rottgers

10 am Holy Eucharist

Serving on Sunday

Acolyte: Paul Reed

Lector: Myke Chovanec

Intercessor: Joe Fossati

Ushers: Don and Janet Seifert

Counter:Don Seifert and Carolyn Sturgeon

Altar Guild:Sarah Smith

Be Our Guest: Kathy Mencer

The Liturgy of the Word

April 12, 2026

ATTENTION: ROTA SERVERS!!!

I am starting to compile the ROTA for May/June. If you have dates that do NOT work for you please let me know. [email protected] 913 226 3565

Click here for March/April Rota

Remember that if you cannot serve please find a substitute and let the office or Jane know. If you have requests for in advance contact Jane Bush [email protected]

Thank you! Jane Bush

From the Desk of the Rector...

The Paradigm Shift that begins with Easter

The group dynamics for the disciples (students in training) was known and comfortable. Most of all, Jesus directed most all events and plans. They only had to follow like sheep to a shepherd. When in doubt, ask Jesus for the answer and follow his directions. Easy enough!

However, with the events of Holy Week and Easter now in the rear-view mirror of time, Jesus is there only for a few brief events to affirm his Resurrection. The mantle of “leadership” is in the process of being shifted from Jesus to the now remaining selected Apostles (proclaimers and bearers of Good News). The influence of Jesus was still “front and center” yet he was not physically there every time a question or issue arose.

Their three-year term of mentored instruction was now shifting to being called upon to put those lessons into action and everyday applications. You can’t stay in the classroom your whole life waiting for the teacher to do it all for you. You must engage! The days from Easter up to Ascension are the time that is happening for those who followed Him. There was still a major force to be bestowed upon this hardy few, and a promise was given that it would be appearing soon. (Pentecost)

One of my favorite lessons by my English Professor in college happened on a Friday. We initially thought it was because he became bored with the lesson that he was teaching or because he had early plans for the weekend. It doesn’t really matter. It took us all (a full classroom of students) by surprise when he stopped in the middle of his lection and asked, “Do you know what it would look like if we drew a line into infinity? It would be like this!” He took a piece of chalk, went to the far-left side of the chalkboard and started a line that extended slowly to the far-right side of the same board. Without stopping, he continued onto the wall, into the corner, and onto the next wall, then across the back of the room, up the next wall and out the door.

We all sat in amazement and with some expectation that he would reappear. We wondered, how long do you wait for the return of a professor before you could legitimately leave the class? One person got up and looked out the door and up the hallway. He exclaimed, “You’re not going to believe this!” The halls of Nunn Hall were poured concrete with only drywall halfway up. Sure enough, down the hall, across doors and around the corner toward the elevators the line continued and wrapped into the first elevator door.

On Monday, he asked, “How many of you sat and waited for me? You have to be willing and able not to sit and wait for instruction all the time but be assured and willing enough to venture out to the unknown! That is how you truly learn and grow!” I have never forgotten that life lesson. Neither did the Disciples now changed into Apostles.

Today we need to heed the same lesson and not stay stuck on Easter but move on to being empowered by what we have learned and experienced to help impact our surroundings and relationships. We become “Easter People” moving ahead with the promise of the Holy Spirit to empower us and our lives!

Easter Blessings to All St. Aidan’s Apostles!

Fr. Steve+

St. Aidan's updates

Cinco De Mayo Celebration

Sunday after church, there will be a brief meeting of anyone who would like to help with the Cinco de Mayo party scheduled for Wednesday, May 6th.

Anyone who would like to help with this event and can't attend the meeting, please contact Janet Seifert at (913) 449-8960.

Food Drive

We will be collecting food for The Olathe Mayor's Food Drive through Wednesday, April 29. There will be a basket by the library to drop off your donations. There is a large and complete list of requested food on the website FEEDOLATHEKIDS.COM. You may also donate money or volunteer to help at a drop off location on either April 18 or May 2nd. The drop off sites are 9 am - 5 pm. Both the donating and the volunteering can be done through the website. If you have any questions, please talk to Janet Seifert. Please help make a difference for our community's children.

Good Faith Network Presentation

What does the Lord require but that you do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God?

--Micah 6:8

That scripture passage from the prophet Micah lies at the heart of the justice advocacy efforts of the Good Faith Network, an interfaith network with some 30 congregations participating. GFN was founded five years ago to identify issues affecting our community and to advocate for those who cannot. Kate Capps (from St. Michael & All Angels) will visit with us about GFN and its work for the citizens of Johnson County.

Baby Blessings! Shower upcoming for the Norris Family.

April Birthdays and Anniversaries!

Sarah Smith 4/4

John Zemites 4/5

Sarah Bean 4/13

Tabitha Spriggs 4/22

Joseph Bush 4/26

Tom and Kathy Mencer 4/17

Karon and Jeff Wintrode 4/21

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]

Diocesan Happenings

Bishop Search

The search committee announced on March 9 that they are extending the search process and inviting more applicants. The plan is to hold a bishop election in October at diocesan convention. To view the letter click HERE

For more information visit the diocesan website on the search HERE

Timeline
May 11, 2026 — Application period closes. A petition process is not currently planned.
September 14-18 — Meet and Greets
October 23–24, 2026 — Electing Convention, Grace Cathedral, Topeka
April 17, 2027 — Ordination and Consecration, Grace Cathedral, Topeka. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will officiate.

Mega Camp information

The Living church is a newsletter for the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion that we subscribe to. If you are interested in reading it, the March PDF is attached here. Living Church PDF

BackSnack Program

2026--2027

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

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 April 23rd, 2026

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