1988-08-30 UMC New Minister continued, Kallaus, Rossville, Kansas

Dublin Core

Title

1988-08-30 UMC New Minister continued, Kallaus, Rossville, Kansas

Description

"But that's what a church is to do — grow, and minister. No preacher should be there just to maintain the status quo.
"That growth can be attained through renewing of friendships and fellowships, through outreach and through other ministries."
Kallaus was born and raised in Iowa, "three towns in the southeastern part of the state."
He joined the Air Force in 1953, married in 1956, and he and Caryl were parents twice before he left the military in 1963.
"It came down to a choice between the military, which was taking 18 to 20 hours a day of my time, or family," he said. "I chose family, so I had to get out."
He spent three or four months "drawing rocking chair money," worked as a laborer for a year, then spent eight or nine years working at the ammunition plant in Parsons.
He spent more years self-employed as an auctioneer, real estate salesman, insurance agent and part-time city clerk in Weir, Caryl's home town.
"In 1977, I felt the call to come into the ministry and did so," he said. "My first appointment was at Hartford and Neosho Rapids, then we went to Fancy Creek and Swede Creek."
They next were moved to Pittsburg, where they started a mission to the otherwise unchurched. The name of the church is Wesley House. Both Kallauses devoted them-selves to building Wesley House, but Caryl Kallaus has been active in her husband's ministry since he began serv-
ing "She's the half of the ministry that doesn't get paid," he said. "She's done a lot here already. She does a lot of typing for me, she has been very beneficial in visitation, and she is an active lay speaker.
She was an alternate delegate to the United Methodist General Conference this year in St. Louis, and was a delegate to the subsequent jurisdictional conference in New Orleans.
She is president of the Rossville UMW.
The Kallauses were asked to go to Pittsburg, build a church, and stay there five years. They stayed six.
This spring the Methodist cabinet called the Kallauses and asked if they would transfer to Rossville. They accepted. The Kallauses have been busy since their arrival.
"We started a new inter-generational Sunday School class," he said. "The church recently held a planning retreat, and one result of that is that we are going to rebuild Wednesday night as an all-church night along with other projects and programs being developed throughout the week. We don't want church to be just a Sunday and Wednesday place."
Rossville UMC will participate with the Rossville Presbyterian Church in sponsoring a concert in the street at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 11, between the two churches, both of which are in the 400 block of Pearl Street.
"We'll have groups and individuals from throughout the area performing," he said. "It will be a time of fellowship and Christian singing and will be open to everyone. Just bring a lawn chair so you'll have a place to sit."
{ }stigator of Rossville's first CROP Walk, scheduled for October 2. The Rossville Presbyterian Church and St. Stanislaus Catholic Church also are sponsors of the walk.
"I got a letter inviting us to participate in the Topeka walk, and I just asked myself why we couldn't do that," he said. "So we are going to have our own. "I think this will be a good community builder."
The church is planning a lay renewal weekend October 7, 8, and 9, he said.
The weekend, named "EvangeLaity Weekend," is being planned and conducted by lay members of the church.
"That is Laity Weekend, and a lay person will fill the pulpit that weekend," Kallaus said.
"That should be one of those times of bringing our Christian family back together," he said. "The laity here does a lot more than in a lot of churches. We're looking for an exciting weekend." Kallaus is planning an All Saints' Day program on October 30, a time when church members can dress up as Biblical personages rather than as goblins and demons, he said.
The Kallauses are anticipating helping with the annual election day dinner of the United Methodist Women on November 8.
November 21 will be the all-church conference. "I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I think there will be a Thanksgiving meal that evening, instead of the 27th. And, during Christmas vacation, we're looking forward to having a Vacation Bible School."
Kallaus chairs the United Methodist Kansas East Conference board of Church and Society.
Kallaus said a Ministerial Association has been started in Rossville. Pastors of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian and Catholic churches recently met in an organizational meeting, he said. He is also looking forward to joint World Day of Prayer services in March.

Creator

The St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas

This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties.

Date

August 30, 1988

Rights

All rights reserved

Identifier

RCL0505

Item Relations

This item has no relations.