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Tisdale 4-H Celebrates Christmas

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On December 2, 2022, Tisdale 4-H Club helped with the Isle of Lights. Everyone who came had a lot of fun. Even though it was cold, we made it! We celebrated the night with hot chocolate!

Tisdale 4-H Club had their December gift exchange on December 4, 2022. The gift exchange was a fun time. The members brought presents to exchange. By the time everyone left, everyone was really happy.

Caleb Krepps did a talk on leather projects he had made. They were really cool. Caleb made leather things. He made leather wallets and leather keychains. Caleb even made a pair of shoes. Everyone loved the talk. He showed when he sold them at the market for the very first time.

We did an Angel Tree Shopping trip at Walmart. The kids had a lot of fun picking out things for kids in need. Our kids showed a lot of generosity. We shopped for 5 different kids.

Submitted by Kendyl Higdon
Reporter for Tisdale 4-H Club

How Can The Community Support Your School?

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Hand writing in notebook with pencil, pencil shavings are scattered on paper

Where To Worship Online In Cowley County

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Man sitting on steps of an empty church

Where To Worship Online In Cowley County

In the last few weeks things have changed drastically across our county, nation, and world. School, work, home…nearly every part of our lives have been somehow touched by the appearance of COVID-19. This is a time when many people turn to God, the Bible, and the church. But with most churches temporarily closing their doors due to recommendations from the CDC and the recent stay-at-home order from the Governor, church looks a little different right now.

Man sitting on steps of an empty church
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Thankfully, there is a variety of technology churches can use to reach out to members and the community. While some churches have been making use of services such as Facebook Live and YouTube for awhile, others are reaching out to the community online for the very first time! If you do not have a church home, or have been temporarily disconnected from your regular church, here is a list of churches in Cowley County and how you can connect with them online.

If your church is not on this list and would like to be added, send me an email with your church name and how you are connecting with the community and I’ll get you added!

Ark City 1st (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 AM on Facebook or hear a replay of the service on YouTube.

Ark City Nazarene (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11AM on Facebook or hear a replay of the service at YouTube.

Aviator Church (Winfield) — Watch the service on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM or Wednesday nights at 7PM at https://aviator.online.church/.

Bible Christian Church (Ark City) —Watch Sunday Morning Worship Service on Facebook, YouTube, and biblechristianchurch.com/media.

Blessing Heights (Ark City) — Livestream Worship Service on Friday at 8 PM or watch a replay of the sermon on Sunday at 10:45 AM on Facebook.

Calvary Chapel (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 AM on Facebook.

Cambridge Baptist Church (Cambridge) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11AM on Facebook.

Central Baptist Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:45 AM on Facebook or hear a replay of the sermon on their website. Other opportunities for fellowship and worship can be found at cbcwinfield.com.

Central Christian Church (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 AM on Facebook. You can also listen to the previous week’s sermon on the radio station KSOK 1280AM on Sundays at 9 AM.

Cornerstone Bible Fellowship (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM on Facebook.

Countryview Baptist Church (Udall) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11 AM on Facebook.

Crossroads Community Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM on Facebook.

Dexter Outreach Church (Dexter) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM on Facebook or hear a replay of the sermon on YouTube.

First Baptist Church (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM on YouTube.

First Baptist Church (Burden) — Livesteam Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11 AM on Facebook.

First Baptist Church (Winfield) — Watch a weekly Community Worship Service at http://www.rethinkoutreach.org/

First United Methodist Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Night Worship Service at 5:30 PM on Facebook.

Grace Episcopal Church (Winfield) — Watch a weekly Community Worship Service at http://www.rethinkoutreach.org.

Grace United Methodist Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:50 AM on Facebook and YouTube.

GracePointe Assembly of God (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 AM on Facebook and YouTube.

Grandview United Methodist Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 9:30 AM on Facebook.

Harvest Christian Church (Winfield) — Livestream Harvest Kids at 9:30 AM and Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 AM on Facebook. A complete schedule for the week can be found on Facebook.

Hillcrest Bible Baptist Church (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11AM on Facebook.

Holy Name Catholic Church (Winfield) — Find the schedule for livesteamed Masses on the Holy Name Catholic Church website.

Millington Street Baptist Church (Winfield) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:45 AM on Facebook.

New Life Chapel (Udall) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10AM on Facebook.

Northside Baptist Church (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10AM on Facebook and YouTube. Meal ministry is also available on Monday nights from 5:30–6:30. For more information about Meal Ministry, contact Pastor Ryan Whitley at 620–442–8100.

Random Road Church (Ark City) — Listen to Sunday Morning Worship Service on KSOK Radio AM 1280 at 9:30 AM & FM 95.9 at 11 AM.

Second Baptist Church (Winfield) — Watch a weekly Community Worship Service at http://www.rethinkoutreach.org/

Silverdale Community Church (Silverdale) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:45AM on Facebook.

St. James Church of God In Christ (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11AM on Facebook.

Tisdale United Methodist Church (Winfield) — Watch an abbreviated Worship Service on YouTube. Videos are usually available on late, Saturday evening.

Trinity Lutheran Church & School (Winfield) — Watch Sunday Morning Worship Service on Vimeo.

Udall Church of the Nazarene (Udall) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:50 AM on Facebook.

Udall First Baptist Church (Udall) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11 AM on Facebook.

West Kansas Avenue Church of God (Ark City) — Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 11 AM and Kids Church at 1PM on Facebook

Winfield First Church of the Nazarene (Winfield)— Livestream Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM on Facebook.

It’s National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child!

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Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes stacked

It's National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child! (2019)

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes stacked
Photo Courtesy of Central Baptist Church, Winfield

If you’ve been filling shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies, and other goodies for Operation Christmas Child, good news — it’s National Collection Week! Now that you’ve finished making all the tough decisions (Cardboard or plastic shoebox? Baby doll or teddy bear? How do I squeeze these last few items in there?) you may be wondering where you’re supposed to take your box. Three Cowley County churches will be ready to collect your boxes this week.

In Ark City you can drop off shoeboxes at Mt. Zion Community Church. What started out 10 years ago as a youth group packing 10–15 boxes has been embraced by the entire church, and this year they packed 483 shoeboxes! This is Mt. Zion’s third year hosting a drop-off location.

“We look to support missions of varying levels. We support local as well as international ministries. We desire that everyone come to the realization that we all are broken in some way and that the only way to eternal life in heaven is through personal faith in Jesus. We support ministries that also want to spread the hope that Jesus offers, and Samaritan’s Purse OCC shoeboxes are a tangible way of doing this.” — Tamen Eis, Mt. Zion Community Church

In Udall your boxes can be delivered to New Life Chapel. Although church members have been packing shoeboxes on their own for years, this is the church’s 2nd year to volunteer their time and space for National Collection Week.

“The shoebox gifts are an incredible opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus to children in need. In the hands of the local churches, every gift filled shoebox is a tool for evangelism and discipleship, transforming the lives of children and their families around the world.” — Pastor Angie Exley, New Life Chapel

New to collections this year is Central Baptist Church in Winfield. For the last eight years, members at Central have collected shoebox items as a church and held a “packing party”. This year, after packing 505 shoeboxes, church members were reminded that these shoeboxes are not just about the trinkets and toys inside. These shoeboxes represent 505 opportunities for children around the world to learn about their Savior and ask Jesus into their hearts.

“We believe in reaching as many people as we can for Jesus and His Kingdom. This is an outstanding way to do it.” — Ed Shubert, Central Baptist Church

If you would like to participate in packing a shoebox you can learn more by visiting Samaritan’s Purse’s website or by watching the video below.

“You can be the very beginning of a gift filled shoebox journey by simply getting a shoebox and filling it with love! Your gift will bring the good news and great joy to a child in need. Some of which will be their first time ever receiving a gift.” — Pastor Angie Exley, New Life Chapel

Drop-off Locations and Times in Cowley County

Mount Zion Community Church 31948 31st Rd Arkansas City, KS 67005 — Mon, Nov. 18: 1:30 PM — 6:30 PM Tue, Nov. 19: 1:30 PM — 6:30 PM Wed, Nov. 20: 11:00 AM — 4:30 PM Thu, Nov. 21: 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM Fri, Nov. 22: 2:00 PM — 7:00 PM Sat, Nov. 23: 12:00 PM — 5:00 PM Sun, Nov. 24: 2:00 PM — 5:00 PM Mon, Nov. 25: 8:00 AM — 12:00 PM

New Life Chapel 2654 58th Drive Udall, KS 67146 — Mon, Nov. 18: 8:00 AM — 10:00 AM Tue, Nov. 19: 8:00 AM — 10:00 AM Wed, Nov. 20: 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM Thu, Nov. 21: 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM Fri, Nov. 22: 8:00 AM — 10:00 AM Sat, Nov. 23: 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM Sun, Nov. 24: 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM Mon, Nov. 25: 8:00 AM — 10:00 AM

Central Baptist Church 904 Wheat Rd Winfield, KS 67156 — Mon, Nov. 18: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM Tue, Nov. 19: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM Wed, Nov. 20: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM Thu, Nov. 21: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM Fri, Nov. 22: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM Sat, Nov. 23: 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM Sun, Nov. 24: 3:00 PM — 5:00 PM Mon, Nov. 25: 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM

Family: The Greatest Marketing Firm

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Family eating dinner in a small town diner

Family: The Greatest Marketing Firm

Family eating dinner in a small town diner

When it comes to marketing, there are so many options available it can be a little overwhelming. Do you put your money in pay-per-click ads? Social media posts? Billboards? Newspapers? Postcards?

Instead of hiring an influencer, why not turn to your greatest influencer of all — your family?

Hold on — stick with me. I’m not talking about hosting a Tupperware party or recruiting people to sell things for you. I’m really not even talking about marketing your own business. I’m talking about marketing your small town.

If you want people to know what makes your small town special, start with the people that are special to you. Is your town putting on a big event? Invite your family from out-of-town! In-laws dropping in unexpectedly? Take them to the mom-and-pop restaurant downtown! Spending the day shopping with your sister? Start with the local boutiques, artists, and craftsman!

Need some real-life examples?

While my in-laws were helping us move into our new house, we took them down the street and treated them to lunch from Ike’s Donut Shop in Arkansas City. My mother-in-law loved the Pickle-Os and brings them up anytime someone claims to have eaten better.

Like my kid’s shoes? I got a deal on them at Joseph’s Storehouse in Burden! My sister-in-law was so impressed she made up a shopping list for me to take on my next trip!

And why do I know about the jazz quartet from Winfield, known as the Student Loans? That would be because I heard my brother talk about them playing at Burden Dayz’s free concert.

Next time you drive across town, look around and make note of what it is you love about where you live. Those things, those places, those events, those are the ones you should be sharing when people come to visit. Too often we think that marketing is a tool you use, a person you hire, money you spend…but in reality, it’s learning to be a tour guide in your own backyard.

What’s your next destination?

Winfield’s Donut Tractor

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Winfield Masonic Lodge selling donuts and coffee on a tractor and trailer

Winfield's Donut Tractor

It's About More Than Just The Donuts

Winfield Masonic Lodge selling donuts and coffee on a tractor and trailer
Photo Courtesy of Winfield Masonic Lodge #110

If you’ve camped at the fairgrounds during the Walnut Valley Festival you know the sound of the “Donut Tractor”. If you have kids, they’ve likely drug you out of bed with all the fervor of Christmas morning, for fear the tractor may go by before they get there. And it does feel a little bit like Christmas, only instead of Santa bringing presents, it’s the Winfield Masonic Lodge #110 selling donuts, coffee, orange juice, and milk.

The tractor serves as an alarm clock for many camping at the festival and an easy breakfast during their stay. It has become such a part of the camping experience that in 2018, songwriter Noah Musser wrote the song “Donut Tractor” which won him the category of “Songs About WVF” in the NewSong Showcase. For some it’s a first cup of coffee while their pot is brewing or a “snack” to satisfy younger campers until a more substantial breakfast can be cooked. For others (especially young tractor-loving campers or exhausted parents), they make sure they get a new donut or coffee refill every time the tractor passes by until their belly is full!

Beyond the coffee and donuts, campers enjoy sharing stories of family members who are involved in the Masons, expressing their gratitude for the services of the Shriner’s Hospital, or just admiring the antique tractors as they pass through the campgrounds.

As enjoyable as it is to mingle with the campers, selling donuts is serious business for the Masons. The “Donut Tractor” is one of the three main fundraising efforts for the Lodge, with the other two being concession stands held at the Cowley County Fair and the K&O Steam & Gas Engine Show. Money raised from these events allow the Masons to invest financially in the future of their communities. The Winfield Lodge #110 has used money they’ve raised to make donations to Eagles Nest, Blue Santa, ABATE Toy Run, Winfield Food Pantry, and Kansas Masonic Home. The Lodge also sponsors an annual scholarship for local High School Seniors and scholarships for the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band Camp.

If you are interested in becoming a Mason or have questions about their activities, they can be reached at (620) 221–0109.