Trinity Episcopal Church, Arkansas City, Kansas

02/07/2026

As we watch our country become more and more divided, we pray for unity and peace as we ask how we can help achieve it. Please consider joining us Tuesday, February 10, as we Walk for Peace. Come during your lunch hour, or any time between 11:00 and 2:00. You can walk first as long or as short a time as you choose.
We will walk in silence - praying, meditating, hoping for an end to our divisions, and that all people in our country will be treated lawfully and with dignity, and that peace will return to all our communities.
This event was inspired by the Buddhist monks who started their Walk for Peace in October. They will arrive in Washington,D,C., after walking about 2,300 miles Tuesday or Wednesday, February 10 or 11. There will not be a service or presentation. This event is being hosted buy First Baptist and Grace Episcopal Churches in Winfield, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Ark City.

02/04/2026

An important time for prayer ...

02/04/2026

01/22/2026

Due to the severe weather expected this weekend, Trinity Episcopal Church will not have worship services on Sunday, January 25, 2026. I am inviting people to attend the live-streamed service at the National Cathedral. It begins at 10:30AM and here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKHKXmqlIdY

The Annual Meeting scheduled for after church this Sunday will be held next week, Sunday, February 1, and I will be there.

Pleases help spread this change. Thank you!

Stay Safe and warm.
In Christ's love,
Mother Kathy

12/24/2025

Join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus
December 24, 5:30PM
with Holy Communion
224 North A Street

09/15/2025

Sunday, October 5 - 1:30 - Bring your pets - Invite your friends - Join us for a Blessing of the Animals.
In commemoration of St. Francis who loved God's creation and preached to the animals who he called his brothers and sisters, Trinity Episcopal Church is will have A Blessing of the Animals this Sunday. All are invited to bring their pets and animals, large and small, to be blessed. This is an opportunity to express our thanksgiving for the animals that add so much to our lives and to enjoy fellowship with our neighbors. Bring a picture of a pet who was lost and never found its way back home, or of one who has died. You light a candle in its memory and we will remember our pets that are no longer with us.
Please share this invitation with your family, friends, and neighbors.
This Sunday: October 6, 2024
In the churchyard: 224 North A St., Ark City
Time: 2:00
Bring a lawn chair.
Please use leashes and crates.

05/09/2025

The scam continues. (See the April 26 post below.)
Today, May 8, two parishioners received texts from the same scammers. After answering the text message, they requested the person go to the store and purchase five $100 gift cards and then provide them the numbers on the cards. Wanting to verify it was Mother Kathy, one parishioner asked them a personal question about one of her family members, and the scammers knew the answer!
Mother Kathy will not text you and ask you to go purchase gift cards. She does not raise money via text. Please call her phone to verify her identity.
If a text seems strange or is not from her phone number, do not answer it.
The police were contacted but cannot do anything to locate the scammers.
Please pass the word!

April 26 post:
There is a scam going on! The text says it is Rev Kathryn Swain and asks you to call at a specific number. They ask you to buy gift cards. They signed the text with Rev. Kathy Swain.
Please know Mother Kathy would never ask for donations through a text and will never ask for a donation of gift cards. If you get one of these texts, please let her or the church office know. Delete the text from your phone and report it as junk.
We also request you help spread the news of this scam. Thank you!

04/26/2025

There is a scam going on! The text says it is Rev Kathryn Swain and asks you to call at a specific number. They ask you to buy gift cards. They signed the text with Rev. Kathy Swain.
Please know Mother Kathy would never ask for donations through a text and will never ask for a donation of gift cards. If you get one of these texts, please let her or the church office know. Delete the text from your phone and report it as junk.
We also request you help spread the news of this scam. Thank you!

04/10/2025

All are invited to join us as we walk with Jesus from Palm Sunday to Easter.

Palm Sunday, April 13 11:00am
We celebrate Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Maundy Thursday, April 17 Noon
This service includes foot washing (voluntary), Holy
Communion and the stripping of the altar.

Good Friday, April 18 Noon
This service is the commemoration of Jesus' crucifixion and
burial.

Easter Sunday, April 20 11:00am
We celebrate the Resurrection of Christ!

We are an open and affirming church and all welcome.
224 North A St., Ark City, (620) 442-1720

The photo is a bead art picture created by Amanda White.

03/05/2025

Join us Ash Wednesday, March 5, 12:10PM for our service of the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. 224 North A Street, Ark City.
Ash Wednesday is the first day Lent. The ashes are a symbol of our human mortality and of repentance. Lent, the forty days before Easter, not including Sundays which are always a feast day, are a time of self-examination and repentance through prayer, the study of scripture, and reflection. It is a time to prepare ourselves to walk with Jesus to the cross where he make the ultimate sacrifice for us. It is a time to repent and receive God's grace and forgiveness for our sins.
We are an open and affirming church and all are welcome.

01/30/2025

11:00pm update: There are confirmed fatalities from the plane crash. Let us pray for those who have died:

Deliver your servants, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set them free from every bond; that they may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.

Let us also pray for all who mourn, that they may cast their care on God, and know the consolation of his love.

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom we pray. Remember them, Lord, in your mercy; nourish them with patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Earlier tonight:
As I was watching the news, there was a special report of a small plane that went into the Potomac River at Washington’s National DCA Airport. Before long the report was updated; a helicopter and American flight 5342 from Wichita collided and plunged into the river. Please pray for our neighbors who are fearful this night for the safety of their family or friends.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of all those affected by the plane crash this night. Be with and strengthen those who may be in the water waiting rescue. Protect the first responders as they search for survivors. Let those who fear the loss of family or friend know the consolation of your Presence and Love. Grant those who died this night entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

01/21/2025

Father Craig Sweeney served as Rector at the Episcopal Churches of Trinity, Ark City and Grace, Winfield from 2001 to 2006, where he is remembered for his faithful service.

Pastoral Notice
The Rev. Craig Chandler Sweeney

April 7, 1951 - January 12, 2025


The Reverend Craig Chandler Sweeney, 73, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his home in Topeka, Kansas. Craig was born on April 7, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland to John Easter Sweeney and Virginia Lee [Jackson] Sweeney, who both preceded him in death. Craig met his wife Robin Jo Roy in 1970 and they married in Topeka on August 25, 1973.

Craig is survived by Robin and their three daughters, Gretchen Sweeney of Washington, D.C., Virginia Barnes (Bryan) of Topeka, and Alice Sweeney of Topeka; as well as by his four grandchildren: Miles and Natalie Barnes, and Cooper and Phineas Szabo. Craig also is survived by his four siblings: John Sweeney (Barbara) of Everett, WA; Michele Sweeney of Pueblo, CO; Michael Sweeney (Rhonda) of Lawrence, KS; and Mary Howell (Mike) of Topeka; as well as 14 nieces and nephews and their families, and many in-laws.

Craig grew up in Topeka, attending Gage Elementary, Landon Junior High, and Topeka High School, where he graduated in 1969. Craig briefly attended Prescott College in Arizona and then received his B.A. from the University of Denver in 1973 where he earned Phi Beta Kappa. During college, he was an exchange student for one year at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK. Craig went on to earn an MBA/JD from the University of Denver in 1978.

After graduation, he worked in Washington state and then moved his growing family to Illinois, Texas, and eventually back to Kansas. In Topeka, he became general counsel for ShowBiz Pizza Place, part of Brock Hotel Corporation. He later owned Kaw Valley Title Company in Topeka.

In his 40s, he turned to his church, deepened his Christian faith, and was called to ministry. He completed a process of discernment, then enrolled at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where he received his M.Div. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2001.

Craig served as rector at both Grace Episcopal Church in Winfield, KS, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Arkansas City, KS, from 2001 to 2006. He then served as rector at The Church of the Epiphany in Glenburn, PA, from 2006 to 2012. He retired in 2012 and returned to Topeka in 2017.

Craig enjoyed ministry and mentoring, gardening and gardens, cooking, writing, reading historical and science fiction, especially space opera, smoking ci**rs, and supporting progressive causes.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:00 am CST at St. David’s Episcopal Church at 3916 SW 17th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604. The service will be live-streamed at www.youtube.com/.

Memorial contributions may be made to Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org), World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/), or Doctors without Borders (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/).

Grant O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in hopeful expectation of eternal life, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.