The “Messenger” is the monthly newsletter of St. David’s Episcopal Church. The link below allows you to read our newsletter in “pdf” format.

The May Edition of the “Messenger”

A prayer shawl, lovingly made by members of the St. David’s prayer shawl ministry group hangs now over the doorway of the Command Chaplain’s office at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. The Command Chaplain for the Multi-National Peacekeeping mission is Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) David Jenkins who is a member of St. David’s Church. Chaplain Jenkins received the shawl during a visit to the camp by St. David’s Rector, Fr. Don Davidson who is also the State Chaplain for the Kansas National Guard.

Chaplain Jenkins hung the shawl as a way to bless every soldier who enters his office, as “we all need prayer” to get through each day away from our friends and families.

A second shawl was given to a wounded soldier from Salina, Kansas at the Military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.

Our Washburn University Scholarship Singers (and siblings), Nate and Amy Imparato, will
present a recital on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 4:00 P.M. at St. David’s.

Nate studied with Dr. Lee Snook and finished his vocal performance degree in December. He
recently took a full-time position and thus bids us farewell. We have all enjoyed his talent
and humor (especially the bass section!).

Amy is a junior and also majors in vocal performance. You will recall Amy in the role of
Queen Esther when St. David’s presented “Malice in the Palace.” We will enjoy Amy’s voice
for at least another year.

Please come out and support these two! A reception will be held following the recital.

In order to facilitate a more active response to needed ministry, Fr. Don Davidson, the Rector of St. David’s has called for the formation of the Council of Ministries. The Council will be composed of the chairpersons of each of the eight ministry small groups. Each group has the responsibility of one area of parish ministry.

The Council of Ministry will meet each month instead of the Ministry Night effort. Each group chair will call meetings of their group at times more fitting to the schedules of the members of their group. Vestry representatives assigned to each group will assist the chair and make reports to the Vestry.

The first meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at the Church.

For further information, please contact the chairperson of each ministry group or the church office.

Summer Camp is Coming!!!

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas’ Church camp sessions are coming in June:

High School is June 1st - 7th

Jr. High is June 8th - 14th

Intermediate (Grade 3-5) is June 15th - 21st

The Diocese of Kansas holds their camp at Camp Wood YMCA located near Elmdale, Kansas, situated in the flint hills.  Camp is for any young person finishing 3rd grade through 12th grade.  The cost is $285 before the each session’s registration deadline (5/12 for Jr. High & High School, 5/19 for Intermediate), and $300 after the registration deadline.  Scholarships and financial aid are available and abundant.  Please contact Fr. Matthew if you are interested in financial assistance.  Registration packets can be downloaded at

http://www.episcopal-ks.org/youth/campreg08.pdf 

and for more information and a great video, visit

http://www.episcopal-ks.org/youth/summercamp.html

Fr. Don Davidson has announced the appointment of the Vestry Capital Campaign Committee.  The Committee will lead the campaign to raise the needed funds for construction of the new Nave, Classrooms, Offices and Parish Hall.   The members are as follows:

George Webb, Chair
Ann Palmer
Rob Telthorst
Scott Hesse
Herm Simon (Representing the Vestry)
BethAnn Branden (Representing the Vestry Architectural Committee)
Marcia Kemper (Representing the Vestry Finance Committee)

The Appointments were affirmed by the Vestry and the Committee has held its first meeting.

St. David’s Church was established as one of the earliest Eucharistic-centered parishes in the nation. A commitment was made to for the celebration of the Eucharist to be the focus of the worship service.

Bishop Goodrich Fenner began planning for the new parish in southwest Topeka during the summer of 1951. The city had experienced suburban growth in the area following World War II. Individuals attended an organizational meeting on February 24, 1952, despite a winter storm, and voted unanimously to establish the mission. The name St. David’s was chosen since the first service was held the day after the Feast of St. David. That service, on March 2, 1952, was held in the vacated Seabrook Elementary School at the corner of 19^th and Mission Street. Rev. Carlton Clark, the Bishop’s Chaplain, officiated in the school’s second floor where the larger classroom chairs were located. A small coatroom served as the sacristy.

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