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Recently someone posed the question, “Why are you Christian?” I encourage you to take a moment to consider this today. As I considered it, I realized it is because I have been devoted to the wonderful person of Jesus ever since I was a small child. As many of you have heard me say before, I grew up imagining myself as one of the children at Jesus’ feet when the disciples tried to shoo us away. As I thought of this, I remembered the simple ease of loving Jesus in my childhood. He was my shep-herd, and I was his lamb, and where he went I would follow, because I trusted him and loved him and knew he had my best interests at heart. Simi-larly, I experienced God as an Abba who created a wonderful world for us to enjoy. I took great de-light in exploring that world. It was really a very easy thing, just a part of my every day life. What happened to all that? It occurred to me that I don’t live in that simple delight any more. It all has become difficult and complex and in many ways, not fun. As I grew, and as I got into my calling, it all became about theolo-gy and politics and doing it right or doing it wrong……the simple joy of following Jesus was gone, and I need to get back to it. Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 18:1-5. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

What if….we were in the kingdom of heaven as children, with our pure and simple beliefs, and we didn’t know it? Or we did know it but we let the grownups in the world distract us and convince us otherwise? I have decided that this summer I am going to try to go back to that simple place where all I really have to do is love Jesus and follow him wherever he goes in full trust that he will take care of things. I have to live in the adult world, yes, but I don’t have to be of the adult world. Will you join me? “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but he is strong….”

In this Issue Page The Pastor’s Post 1 Treasurer’s Report 2 July Birthdays & Properties Report 3 You’re Invited 4 Potwin Profile 5 Note From Doorstep 6 Christmas in July Flyer 7 Urgent—Topeka Rescue Mission 8 Mission Action Partnership 9 Events & Announcements 10 Kids Activity Page 11 July Calendar 12

The Simple Joy of Jesus

Potwin Post

Sue Ann Seel, Pastor

JULY 2021

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TREASURER'S REPORT FOR MARCH

BALANCE 5/1/21 $ 7,750.46

May Receipts $ 11,436.51*

May Disbursements $ 9,218.80

BALANCE 5/31/21 $ 9,968.17

RESERVE ACCOUNTS $ 41,005.40**

*Includes funds from PPP loan.

**Balance includes $4,000.00 designated for

insurance expenses.

Potwin Presbyterian Church

400 SW Washburn Avenue

Topeka, KS 66606

(785) 235-1311

Find us on Facebook or visit online at

www.potwinpres.org

Sue Ann Seel, Pastor

Libby Adams, Pastoral Assistant

Gwen Jones, Music Director

Angela Juarez, Office Assistant

Session:

Sue Ann Seel, Moderator

2021 2022 2023

Libby Adams Pat Abbey Bob Harrison

Jane Sewell Angela Juarez Debi Harvey

Vacant - Youth Elder Joyce Black

Clerk of Session: Joyce Black

Treasurer: Linda Tuller

Financial Secretary: Erica Marshall

Building Coordinator: Pat Abbey

Personnel:

2021

Bob Harrison

Littles—Angela Juarez

Middles—Dawn Jackson

Uppers—Linda Tuller

Floater/Substitutes—Pat Abbey, Jane Sewell, Sue Ann Seel

Adult Bible Study—Sue Ann Seel

PNK Youth Representative—Gwen Jones

Thank you for your generous

contributions to

The Pentecost Offering

in the month of June.

1st Quarter Loose Coin Offerings

Winter Utilities $101.72

Doorstep $192.12

Heartland Presbyterian Center $183.19

Potwin qualified to receive a 2nd SBA loan

through the Paycheck Protection Plan that was

part of the aid package created due to COVID

issues. Both loan amounts were $9,928.00.

These funds can only be used for patrol costs

and pastor benefits. The earlier loan was forgiv-

en after supporting documentation was sub-

mitted.

We are very grateful to those of you who re-

mained faithful with your regular giving during

the time we were unable to meet in person. Dur-

ing those months, Erica Marshall, our Financial

Secretary prepared her weekly deposit on Satur-

day morning to accommodate both her schedule

and banking hours. She plans to continue this

schedule for the immediate future.

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Deadline for August

Potwin Post is July 21

Please email your submissions to Angela Juarez.

arp0371@gmail.com or potwinchurch@att.net

If we don't have you or one of your loved ones on our birthday list, and you would like to be included, please email Angela or the church and let us know.

Like God the Father, we

celebrate the day you were born!

Hanna Scott 2nd

Maggie Lynn Hutchison 7th

Scott Strobel 8th

Brenda Stasiulis 9th

Caleb Harvey 13th

Cheryl Martin 13th

Beth Shaw 14th

Emma Breitenstein 19th

James Currier 20th

Ella Abbey 26th

Joyce Black 28th

Gary Baker 30th

Loose Coin Offering

JULY—Doorstep

The loose coin donations for this month go to Doorstep’s Christmas in July program. Each year the agency collects and purchases items that will be used at their Christmas store in De-cember. These items help less fortunate fami-lies have Christmas gifts to give.

Please pray for our at

home Friends

Ken Adams

Janet Lafferty

Don Wright

PROPERTIES REPORT 6 Stained Glass Lead Repair $22,074.00 Foundation Repairs *$ 5,800.00 Repair Window $ 200.00 Painting Station Building **$ 350.00

Dirt Work **$ 180.00

*Approved by Session. Work is scheduled to

begin approximately early July.

**Cost of Materials. Work was completed by

volunteers.

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YOU’RE INVITED!!!

The Abbey’s are inviting their Potwin Friends to join them at

their home for a 4th of July lunch after church. Please bring your

favorite dish to share. Burgers and hot dogs will be provided.

The last two years were cancelled due to circumstances beyond

their control. They are joyfully awaiting this event as they have

hosted it many times before and would love for you to join them.

WHO: ALL ARE WELCOME

WHAT: 4TH OF JULY LUNCH

WHEN: SUNDAY JULY 4, 2021

AFTER CHURCH

WHERE: JOE & PAT ABBEY’S

2234 SW 2ND ST

TOPEKA, KS 66606

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POTWIN PROFILE - MARK WORKS Mark Works’ roots in Potwin Presbyterian Church run deep. His mother, Marcia Tomlinson

Works, was the daughter of the Tomlinson family, pillars of the church during the mid-1900’s.

His cousin is Chuck Nelson, whose grandfather was the Rev Harry Nelson, long-time pastor of

Potwin. Mark joined the church as a member of the confirmation class in 1978, taught by Rev

Bo Stalcup.

Mark remembers attending a Christian Youth weekend at Branson, Missouri along with other

junior and senior high youth. His favorite memory is of Christmas Eve services during the

time Rev Douglas Phenix was our pastor. Douglas loved to engage the entire congregation in

“I Saw Three Ships”, playing the piano and repeating the many verses over and over!

After graduating from Washburn University, Mark attended Washburn School of Law. He then

joined his father, Bruce and brother, Matt at Works Law Office. Bruce has passed away and

Matt now has his own firm, but Mark continues his practice there. His wife, Judy, graduated

with a social work degree from Wichita State; she now does IT consulting. His children both

graduated from Kansas State University. Grace now works in a museum in Eugene, Oregon,

after participating in “Teach for America” for 3 years in Jacksonville, Florida. John works for

21st Century Investments in Kansas City.

Mark was ordained as an Elder at Potwin in 1990 and has served two terms on the Session.

He has been a member of the Stewardship and Finance Committee and for many years has

served as one of our “openers” for Sunday morning services. He generously provides legal

advice when the Session asks for direction or assistance. While at WU, he was a member of

Alpha Delta fraternity and for more than 25 years has been a board member of their MacVic-

ar Educational Fund, which awards scholarships to Washburn students. He is a lifetime mem-

ber of Washburn’s Alumni Association and served as President of the Topeka-Shawnee Coun-

ty Historical Society.

He likes to work on his house, visit his children and read in his spare time. He has enjoyed

Winston Churchill’s World War 2 books as well as The English Speaking People, a history of all

things British. He and Judy share their home with two rescue dogs, one a Giant Schnauzer

and the other a “hound”.

Mark expects Potwin to continue its ministry as a friendly church, always seeking new ideas

and opportunities. We are grateful for his presence, representing many years of faithfulness

to our congregation.

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NEWS FROM DOORSTEP

We are doing Christmas in July this year, but keeping our focus on a few areas only. Since we gave out all of the blankets and health kit items last December, we need to replenish those items. Blankets - full/queen & king…..We need one for each household (260). If donating quilts, please mark

the size on them. It would be very helpful. We’ll gladly take the smaller throws, but they do not count towards the 260 total. We give these out to larger families along with a blanket/quilt.

Health Kits - bath & hand towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, tooth-brushes, toothpaste

Toys - all ages All of these items should be available in the summer months. We will focus on new winter clothing for all ages in November/December. We will not have a Summer Cash Bash this year as there are no matching funds. We will, however, be starting our year long 55th Anniversary celebration to raise funds for a new HVAC system for the building, services and operating expenses. Also, the 4th Annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Walk/5K Fun Run will be Sunday, October 3rd at 2pm, Lake Shawnee. Mark your calendars! Lisa Cain, LBSW, Executive Director (If you are interested in supporting Doorstep, please refer to the Doorstep website at www.doorsteptopeka.org for more information on other ways to donate and volunteer.) CLOTHING & HOMEWARE NEEDS PERSONAL HYGIENE NEEDS Clothing, shoes, & jewelry Toothbrushes & toothpaste Diapers Shampoo & conditioner Toys Bar soaps Small household appliances Feminine hygiene products Sheets, blankets, linens Deodorant Drapes & throw rugs Body wipes Towels & towel sets Combs & brushes Dishes Pots & pans

FOOD NEEDS Macaroni & cheese Hot & dry cereal Corn, green beans, & peas Pinto beans Jelly & peanut butter Pork & beans Spaghetti & spaghetti sauce Bread Crackers Canned fruit Egg noodles 1 lb packages of hamburger Canned soups Rice Sugar & flour Ramen noodles Tuna Cake mixes Canned & powdered milk Canned vegetables Cooking oil

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URGENT NEEDS—TOPEKA RESCUE MISSION FOOD ITEMS Vegetables: asparagus, beets, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, broccoli,

peas, red onion, celery, mushrooms, sweet potato, radishes, olives, corn Seeds: pepitas, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds Dried Fruit: cranberries, cherries, raisins, mango, blueberries Vegetarian Protein: edamame, tofu Fruit: pears, grapes, mandarin oranges, apples, avocado, strawberries, tomatoes, pom-

egranate Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts Cheese: goat cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, gorgonzola Fresh Herbs: basil, mint, chives, dill, parsley Non-traditional Dressings: salsa, hummus, guacamole For Sack Lunches: fruit cups, pudding cups, Vienna Sausages, juice boxes, sweet snacks,

cheese & peanut butter crackers

SUPPLY ITEMS Hotel/travel size Small deodorant

CLOTHING Clothing (new and gently used) Men’s belts (assorted sizes & good condition), pants (28, 30, 32, 34), underwear

(medium), shirts (XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) Men’s tennis shoes and work boots (good usable condition) sizes 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11,

11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, & 13.5

FURNITURE/LARGE APPLIANCES For specific details, please call (785)357-4285 and ask for Mike or Veronica.

You may also visit: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/O6BQ8QXTPLGA/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex to purchase supplies from the Rescue Mission Wishlist on Amazon.

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MOBILE ACCESS PARTNERSHIP (M.A.P.)

Many unsheltered individuals are not ready to come into a homeless shelter. Most have lived

for years in whatever way it takes to survive, and - for good reasons - have deep fear of the

world around them. TRM's Street Reach combined with Mobile Access Partnership (MAP)

seek to bring our services outward into the community to meet unsheltered individuals right

where they are,

Working together, TRM, Valeo, Stormont Vail and the Topeka Police Department

bring services to many locations in our community with the goal of meeting the simple, daily

needs of the unsheltered homeless. Mobile bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities, a mo-

bile health clinic, a mobile food pantry and kitchen, among others, help the unsheltered learn

they are valued, respected, and have the support of their community as they learn how to ac-

cept help, find jobs and stable housing, and rejoin society - or sometimes, as they learn how

to do more than “just survive” for the very first time.

Please consider contributing to this wonderful program by donating items from the list below.

You may bring them to the church or contact Libby Adams for more information.

Belts & shoes in all sizes for men and women

Bras

Men’s & women’s underwear

Disposable razors with two or more blades (not the kind with refills) & shaving cream

Men’s & women’s deodorant

Socks

Sunscreen

Lotion

Lip balm

Toothbrushes & toothpaste

Feminine hygiene items

Bandaids

Shampoo & conditioner

Hair brushes & combs

Bar soap

Nail clippers

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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

4th OF JULY LUNCH

Please join us for a 4th of July lunch hosted by the Abbey’s after church on Sunday July 4th after

church. Details can be found on page 4 of this newsletter.

GARAGE SALE

We will be holding our annual garage sale at the old station building located at 500 SW Washburn

Ave on Friday July 16th and Saturday July 17th from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. If you have items you

would like to donate to the sale, please contact Brenda Strobel or Angela Juarez to make arrange-

ments for drop off of your items or if you would like to help with the sale. Proceeds go to the Pot-

win Presbyterian building maintenance and repair fund.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Can you believe that school starts up for the Topeka area in less than 2 months?!?! Keep your eyes

out for deals on school supplies. We will be collecting donations of school supplies to send to our

neighborhood school Meadows Elementary. Please shy away from notebook paper and pencils as

they already has an abundance of those items on hand. More details will be released for specific

item requests as they become available.

CURRENT EVENTS ROUND TABLE

Round Table discussions are on hiatus for the moment, but they will resume soon. In the mean-time, we suggest you read the following book. It is the history of black America as told by black Americans. As you might imagine, it’s not quite the same history we read in school. I found it VERY compelling. It is long, but I found it easy to read because of its format--in short digestible chapter chunks! Please be watching for details for when Round Table will resume again. ~ Pastor Sue Ann Seel

“Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619—2019” by Ibram X. Kendi

BLESSING BOX & LITTLE LIBRARY

Our Blessing Box and Little Library are being constantly refilled to meet needs in our neighborhood.

Many in our neighborhood have been assisting us in this effort. Thanks to all who contribute to

these local missions. Remember our blessing box when you shop as it is always in need of

items. You may bring the items into the church or place them in the box itself.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday Worship

9:30 AM

1 2

Happy Birthday

Hanna Scott

3

4

Happy

Independence

Day

5 6 7

Happy Birthday

Maggie Lynn

Hutchison

8

Happy Birthday

Scott Strobel

9

Happy Birthday

Brenda Satsiulis

10

11 12 13

Happy Birthday

Caleb Harvey

Cheryl Martin

14

Happy Birthday

Beth Shaw

15 16

Garage Sale

9AM to 3PM

17

Garage Sale

9AM to 3PM

18 19

Happy Birthday

Emma

Breitenstein

20

Happy Birthday

James Currier

21 22 23 24

25

26

Happy Birthday

Ella Abbey

27 28

Happy Birthday

Joyce Black

29 30

Happy Birthday

Gary Baker

31 25

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JULY 2021 POTWIN POST

Potwin Presbyterian Church

400 SW Washburn Ave.

Topeka, KS 66606

(785) 235-1311

Potwin Presbyterian Church exists to

worship God and to show Christ’s love

through actively and joyfully sharing,

caring, and giving to others in our

congregation, community and world.