News for 6/27/2018
Kids For Christ Mission Trip
Kids For Christ is the combined youth group for First St. John Lutheran, United Church, and St. John Lutheran churches. They took their annual mission trip to Kansas City to serve at the Veteran's Community Project and it was AWESOME!! What a blessing!!! They had 18 youth and 3 sponsors: Kyler Seemann, Jack Molzhan, Michael Gibson, Isaac Gaddis, Bryant Krueger, Olin and Seth Brown, Morgan Westbrook, Kendra Billings, Kennedy and Cameron Rietzke, Elizabeth and Abbey Hardacre, Lauren Gaddis, Casandra Gibson, TyLynn Blank, Tori Slavik, Maycee Westbrook, and sponsors Melissa Westbrook, Bill Molzhan, and Robin Billings. Together, this crew of 21 worked their hearts out and felt blessed by their efforts.
They left Sunday, June 17, after a pork sandwich lunch provided by the St. John WELCA ladies and arrived at the house they rented by late afternoon. The group got settled in and enjoyed a spaghetti supper, provided by the United Church. After supper, they drove to Union Station and walked around, took pictures of the kids and returned for our Bible study on Hacksaw Ridge. Then they watched the first part of the movie and showed the youth a little reality of war. The leaders wanted them to get a glimpse of this before going to serve at the Veteran's Community Project to help them better understand what these residents went through.
They arrived at their worksite at 9am and received a tour of the facility. The Veteran's Community Project is all run on donations and volunteer work. This way they can get things done more quickly, without red tape, and serve all veterans. Their definition of a veteran is "anyone who took the oath", which is different than the government's definition, which puts specifications on "who is a veteran". After the tour, the group set to work! They painted one office in the clinic, some rooms in the main office, tore out flooring, repainted a tiny house, cleaned the "show house", painted over graffiti on the outside of the building, and built 2 flower boxes. The group literally ran them out of work and were done by 3:00. They then went "home" to clean up, eat supper, and went to a Royals game. After the game, they finished our Bible study and let the kids who wanted to, watch the end of the movie.
The second day, Kids For Christ again started at 9:00, and VCP had created a whole new list of projects! This place was organized! They found many more painting jobs. Now everyone wanted their office painted, walls repainted, and second coats on the outside that covered the graffiti; we sorted donated items, and built 6 more planter boxes. The builders had a competition and set off! We used all the scrap lumber from their tiny houses to make the planters. They even added an army symbol to two of them....and then had to cut out more stars before leaving because they liked them so well!
The organization has 13 homes complete, and has a goal of 49 houses to be finished by next year! This is all transitional housing. The veterans need a "hand up, not hand out". Five people have transitioned out so far. There's much more to this story so if you'd like to know more, Kids For Christ will present their trip this coming Sunday, June 24, at 9:00 at St. John Lutheran and then again at the United Church at 10:30.
Movie Night at the Kensington Swimming Pool
Join us this Friday night, June 29, for the movie “Lilo and Stitch” while floating/swimming in the dark! Movie starts and 9:30pm with an entrance fee of $5.00 per person, 3 and under get in free. Must be 7 years or older to attend without an adult. Bring your floatation devices to relax and view the movie while floating in the pool. Hope to see you there!
Fireworks!
July 4th is fast approaching! The Thunder Ridge Cheerleaders will have their annual fireworks stand up at the Corner Corral parking lot, right off the hwy, for the community and those traveling through to purchase fireworks. Come say “Hi” to the girls and purchase your fireworks local. Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.
American Legion Menu
Serving burgers, sandwiches and sides every Monday and Wednesday night from 6-8pm and Specials every Friday night from 6:00-8:30pm.
This week (June 29) at the American Legion we will be having manicotti with a salad and breadstick. Our cold plate special will be a club wrap (Turkey, ham, roast beef) potato salad, and creamy cucumbers. We will also have our regular menu available to choose from. We'll be more than glad to fix your harvest meals and have them ready for pick up if you'll call us at 785.476.3204. We are thankful for the rain but know that everyone is wanting to get their harvest underway and finished. We hope everyone has a safe week.
If your garden does well with all of this wonderful rain and you have an overabundance, the Legion would enjoy some fresh vegetables and be very appreciative!
Kensington Library News
The Kensington Community Library Summer Reading Program presents Thad Beach & The Musical Chair! We plan to “rock” with presenter Thad Beach to finish out our summer reading programs with a bang! This event is for all ages preschool thru 5th grades on Tuesday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m. Libraries Rock!
It's time to "Rock Your Imagination" as musician and songwriter, Thad Beach transforms a common wooden chair into a musical accompaniment to his original creations and traditional songs. His concerts provide lots of opportunities to participate and he demonstrates a variety of musical instruments. Thad draws from a diverse background in musical styles ranging from traditional, folk, old-time, and country blues to roaring 20’s. His programs feature a variety of string and percussion instruments. Lots of fun for all ages! We hope all the children attending our summer reading programs will join us for this grand finale on Tuesday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Weekly Inspiration
Life is a matter of perspective. There are many people who may know you, but there are very few that understand who you are.
Faith and Prayer both are invisible, but they make impossible things possible.
Always love your mother because you will never get another.
ISO NEWS
Your news is important to us. Send your stories and information to Erica Barnes at ebarnes8185@gmail.com with subject line: NEWS. Or feel free to call 785-476-8185.
