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Partnership Corner

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Saint Francis connects with Episcopal conference-goers

The Reverend Andrew O’Connor and Ginny Ellis attended the 40th annual conference of the Episcopal Parish Network in late February in our own backyard of Kansas City. The EPN conference brings together nearly 700 clergy and lay leaders from across the country and world for a time of shared learning and generative networking. EPN exists to connect inspiring leaders from every size and sort of church, ministry, and agency to equip them with fresh insight and best practices for mission in a rapidly changing world.

Two men smiling for a photo in a building lobby, one wearing clerical clothing and the other in a suit. Behind them are a large portrait and a life-sized cutout of a person dressed in religious attire.
Two men wearing conference badges smile at the camera in a well-lit indoor event space, with informational posters and other attendees visible in the background.
Two people wearing clerical collars and conference name badges stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera. One person wears a purple shirt and plaid shawl; the other wears a black shirt and grey pants.
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Four people sit on chairs during a panel discussion; one woman is speaking into a microphone while the three men next to her listen. They are on a carpeted stage with a sign for The Westin Galleria in the background.
Congregation seated in pews facing an ornate altar with gothic arches and wooden beams. A person in a robe stands at the front; choir members are on the left. Stained glass and hanging lights illuminate the church.

“EPN always offers a great opportunity to engage with folks about the mission and vision of Saint Francis Ministries,” said Fr. O’Connor, Executive Officer for Mission and Ministry.

SFM was proud to be back as a conference sponsor this year, with Fr. O’Connor and Ellis working a booth where they connected with many conference goers. Folks were amazed to learn about the scope and scale of the impact SFM has in the lives of the 12,000 people we serve annually across all our programs.

“Throughout the conference, we had wonderful conversations with current and potential partners. Learning how their ministries align with the work our organization is doing in communities affords many opportunities for collaboration,” said Ellis, Executive Director of Development.

This year’s conference theme was “Together in Hope: Leading with Purpose” and featured several excellent keynote presentations and workshops. A highlight of the conference was the keynote featuring new Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe talking about his vision for a church close to the ground and doing the kind of work at which SFM excels—bringing the light and love of Christ to the children, families, and IDD adults Saint Francis serves.

“Time and again, folks were excited to hear about the work we do,” said Fr. O’Connor, “and it’s always a joy for me to brag about the amazing team we have at SFM. People from across our geographic footprint, the whole country, and even the world are eager to learn how they can join in and support our mission of providing healing and hope to children and families.”

Great Plains delivers furniture for young people aging out

Two people are lifting and carrying a gray upholstered couch off a moving truck. The woman is positioned at the back of the couch, and the man is holding the front as they move the furniture outdoors in daylight.
Four workers, wearing safety gear, unload office chairs from a trailer parked on the street. Two men carry chairs down a ramp while two others lift a chair inside the trailer. Orange traffic cones mark the area.
Two men are unloading a black dresser with silver handles from a trailer. One man wears a high-visibility jacket and cap, while the other wears a vest, gloves, and a white hat. The scene takes place outdoors in daylight.
Two men in yellow safety jackets are carrying a mattress from a truck into a building. A blue car and a brick building are visible in the background.
Two men are loading a mattress wrapped in plastic into a box truck. One man stands inside the truck, and the other stands outside on the pavement. Buildings are visible in the background.
A woman with gray hair, wearing a black coat and sneakers, carries a black cabinet outside on a sidewalk near orange traffic cones and a brick building.

Great Plains Manufacturing in Salina recently came through for kids with a generous furniture donation of gently used furniture for young people aging out of foster care. Historically, one of Christmas for Kids’ most enthusiastic supporters, Great Plains volunteers delivered a load of beds, dressers, nightstands, lamps, and other furniture pieces to the Otis Campus in February. Director of FCH Recruitment and Retention Vicki

Cain is working with Salina staff to ensure the items are provided to Independent Living and foster care homes. The furniture will help young people aging out offset the cost of establishing their first home on their own.

“This wonderful donation came about through our community connections,” said Cain. “Michelle Long, regional manager for the Care Portal in north central Kansas, reached out to connect us with Great Plains and make this happen. Relationships like this help our youth and families meet goals while providing stability and hope for a great future. Community partnerships help our families win.”

Thunder night is Saint Francis night

Four people stand and smile in front of a wall with the Wichita Thunder hockey team logo. Two adults stand on each side of two children. There are two wall lights above them.
Several people, including children, two hockey mascots, and two hockey players in uniform, pose together on an ice rink for a group photo, with one child holding a puck at center ice.
A hockey player in full gear, wearing a Thunder jersey, high-fives two children in jackets and jeans in a hallway. An adult stands behind the children, and pipes run along the wall in the background.
A group of people stands at an indoor booth with a blue tablecloth displaying "Saint Francis" branding. Two staff members converse with visitors, and informational materials and a prize wheel are on the table.
Four people stand behind a table covered with a blue Saint Francis Ministries tablecloth. The table displays informational materials, giveaway items, and a prize wheel in a well-lit indoor setting.

Saint Francis Ministries and hockey were the stars of the show on February 28, during SFM Night at the Wichita Thunder’s match against the Tulsa Oilers.

Saint Francis hosted foster families, community partners, donors, and corporate sponsors from the 2024 Christmas for Kids campaign at the event.

Executive Director of Development Ginny Ellis and Development Officer Shaynna Brown of the Foundation represented SFM at their table on the concourse, where they provided information about Saint Francis and gave away sunglasses and hockey stick pens. Mandy Weber and John Singleton of Foster Care Homes and Julie Schindler of Human Resources joined them.

Local vocalist and former SFM employee April Roy sang the national anthem, and SFM adoption clients, the Henderson family of Wichita, served as honorary puck droppers.

“The girls were so excited to drop the puck, but even more happy to get a look behind the scenes at the arena and meet some of the players and mascot T-Dog before the game,” said Brown.

“I love community events like this,” added Ellis. “Sometimes, we’re sharing information about Saint Francis with a person for the first time. Sometimes, we find that someone already knows about the work we do because Saint Francis changed their life or the life of someone they love. The turnout was amazing, and the event served many purposes for us. It provided a fun night out for some awesome foster families, a ‘thank you’ to some of our local donors, and an outreach opportunity to the wider community.”

Rock Hills recognized for partnership and support

Four adults stand indoors in front of a large wall mural with the word "JESUS" in bold letters. Three women are on the left, smiling, and a man stands on the right. Black chairs and tables are in the background.

Executive Director of Development Ginny Ellis and Executive Officer for Mission and Ministry Fr. Andrew O’Connor joined Director of FCH Recruitment and Retention Vicki Cain in Manhattan, Kansas, in April to present a special plaque (and a box of Crumbl cookies) to K’Lee Reynolds, Connections Pastor at Rock Hills Church.

Thanks to a partnership developed by K’Lee and FCH Recruiter Allison Webb, Rock Hills Church has been a leading church supporter for SFM’s annual Christmas for Kids campaign. Most recently, Rock Hills provided Christmas gifts for children in care valued at $25,000. The congregation’s generosity ensured that no foster children in SFM care in Manhattan—and beyond—went without a gift to open on Christmas.

“When churches rise to answer the call to partner with Saint Francis, we can have a profound impact on the lives of the people and communities we serve,” said Fr. O’Connor. “Rock Hills demonstrates that in abundance, and we are grateful for the relationship.”

Fr. O’Connor, Ellis, and Cain added that they were delighted to present Rock Hills Church with the plaque recognizing their support, while learning about the focus and ministries of Rock Hills to the wider fostering community.

“Rock Hills Church is an invaluable partner year-round, supporting SFM, foster families, and parents with various resources and groups,” said Webb.

Picture of Shane Schneider
Shane Schneider

Shane is the Editorial Content Manager for the Marketing and Communications Department at Saint Francis Ministries.

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Salina, KS 67401

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